Wasps needed a launch — and captain Joe propelled them up to sixth after three months of woe.
Joe Launchbury's knee injury had kept him out since mid-September and coincided with a terrible slump.
But on his outstanding return Wasps rediscovered their buzz and swatted away Northampton for their second win in 14 matches.
Joe Launchbury (right) returned for Wasps to help them beat Northampton 27-16 on Sunday
Lima Sopoaga kicked five out of five goals to take twelve points and tries from Willie le Roux, Juan de Jongh and Josh Bassett saw Wasps win - to their skipper's relief.
'I put pressure on myself to come back and play well - I've been an extremely frustrated supporter,' said Launchbury afterwards.
'I don't like watching rugby at the best of times, especially when we are losing. It has been tough.
'I have been chomping at the bit to get back, it was about time I got out there and helped the guys.
'There's been no lack of effort but we have not been good enough as players.. We have to take that on the chin.' Launchbury's return will come as a welcome boost to Eddie Jones too, and the lock is excited for a monumental 2019; but knows he is playing catch-up.
'It is a massive year,' he added.
'I feel brilliant apart from a bit of tiredness. My knee feels fantastic. I have ground to make up, but am really looking forward to it.' Whatever they want to do with the Premiership, new stakeholders CVC would have been impressed with Wasps' terrific ability to turnover. At the heart of that was Welsh flanker Thomas Young, the man-of-the-match.
His father and director of rugby Dai Young thinks he should be playing for Wales.
'He's an international rugby player not playing international rugby,' he said.
'He knows he has to play well - otherwise he can't come round the house and see his mother.' With five defeats in a row and a mid-November victory over Bristol their only
