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Joe Launchbury not thinking of England captaincy

Joe Launchbury refutes reports that he is a contender to become England's next captain.

England lock Joe Launchbury has dismissed suggestions that he could become captain under new head coach Eddie Jones.

Chris Robshaw's position as skipper is thought to be in doubt, as is his place at seven, after a difficult Rugby World Cup which saw the host nation crash out of the tournament at the group stages.

Launchbury has been mooted as a possible contender for the captaincy, but the Wasps second-rower has admitted that he is solely focusing on becoming first choice in his position.

"It's honestly something I've never given too much thought to," he told Sky Sports News

"I'm relatively new both to rugby and to international rugby. I've been around the scene a couple of years now, and obviously I had a nasty injury last year.

"My real focus and attention, and all my energy, is going on trying to get back in the starting shirt. I felt like I did well to get back for the World Cup, but I probably didn't play quite as much as I was hoping to, so that's my major goal going forward."

Launchbury has won 28 caps since his debut in 2012.

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