Joe Launchbury's Lions chances in the air following knee injury

Wasps director of rugby Lee Blackett has described Joe Launchbury’s knee injury as “gut-wrenching moment”.

The Wasps boss admitted that he fears it will keep him off the pitch for a lengthy period, possibly ending any hopes he had of making the Lions Touring squad to South Africa.

Launchbury took a blow to his left knee before half-time in Wasps’ 39-29 win over Bath at the Ricoh Arena and was seen on crutches at full time.

“I am gutted,” Blackett told the post-match press conference.

“It just doesn’t look like a short-term injury. It was a gut-wrenching moment. You are sitting up there and you have just got to recompose everyone because of how much Joe means to everyone but it does not look good.

“I hope I am wrong. He is Wasps through and through. His leadership through the week, you have to see it to believe it. He has got this great aura about him and the ability to see any situation. There are not many people with the special leadership qualities he has.”