England forwards are good enough to take on anyone - Joe Launchbury

Joe Launchbury is a part of the 26-man squad named by Eddie Jones ahead of clash against Argentina
Joe Launchbury is a part of the 26-man squad named by Eddie Jones ahead of clash against Argentina
©PA

Wasps captain Joe Launchbury insists England's forwards are 'nasty enough' to take on any team in the world as they build on their aim to become the top-ranked side.

New Zealand continue to top the World Rugby rankings but England have made steady progress under Eddie Jones that saw them win back to back Six Nations title and also registered a record winning streak that saw them climb to the second position.

As a part of their preparations, England forwards have been training with Wales in Bristol ahead of their autumn internationals and Launchbury, who is a part of the 26-man squad announced by Jones stated that the forward pack was always improving and are now ready to face anyone.

"The old-school growling has probably gone as crossing the line is going to take away massively from the team, what with the amount of ­retrospective banning and TMO work there is nowadays," Launchbury told the Daily Mirror.

"But are we nasty enough as a group of forwards? Yeah, we've proved we are.

"Being physical and strong, ­having an intensity and playing on the edge of ­physicality, is extremely ­important.

"And while maybe in the past we might not have shown the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck for 80 ­minutes, we're building ­towards that."

Laucnhbury's Wasps team-mate Elliot Daly was set to miss the opening game against Argentina at Twickenham after picking up a knee injury but now has recovered well to be in contention for the Saturday's encounter.

Launchbury suspects his Wasps team-mate, who is poised to start on the wing, has used his love for snoozing to aid his comeback

"I think he is a quick healer. He sleeps a lot. He seems to sleep most hours of the day - maybe that has helped him!" Launchbury said.