Launchbury to miss Six Nations

England and Wasps lock Joe Launchbury is to undergo surgery on a neck injury which will see him miss the 2015 Six Nations.

The 23-year-old, who has been sidelined since the beginning of November due to a bulging disc, is now expected to be out for a further three to four months.

He will undergo a routine decompression of the nerve and a rehabilitation period of approximately three to four months is anticipated.

"As you would expect, this is a frustrating time for Joe, but the most important thing in all of this isn't rugby, it's Joe's long-term health. We have consulted specialists in this field and they have recommended surgery as the best option to get him back to full fitness for the long-term.

"Joe is in good hands, being looked after by one of the world's leading surgeons and he will have the full support of the Wasps and England medical teams during his rehabilitation period," Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said.

England will begin their Six Nations campaign away to Wales on February 6.