JOE Launchbury has backed the returning George Martin to make an instant impact in England’s Six Nations campaign.
The Leicester forward, 22, sat out wins over Italy and Wales due to a knee injury having impressed at the World Cup.
He is back with the squad ahead of Saturday’s trip to Murrayfield, where England will look to reverse a run of three straight Calcutta Cup defeats, and Launchbury believes Steve Borthwick’s side can set the record straight.
“George Martin has a huge future and it’s great to see him back,” Launchbury said. “He is versatile, he can play either in the second row or the back row, and I’d like to see him back in the matchday squad so he can pick up where he left off. England have had the fixtures they would want so far and we have heard them talking in the week about how they need to be better.
Joe puts his faith in Martin to make big impact
“They will need to improve but winning games is all-important and going to Murrayfield is a great opportunity to build on this start and show what they can do.”
Manu Tuilagi is also back from injury for the trip to Edinburgh but Launchbury’s former England team-mate Chris Ashton, who joined him in Cornwall for Newquay Hornets’ clash with St Just yesterday as part of an RFU activation, believes the centre should be eased back in.
“I would put him on the bench, I don’t think you can throw him straight into the heat of a Test match,” Ashton said. “England have been a touch fortunate so far but it’s great they have two wins.
“Murrayfield is a har
