He has not even accomplished a full yr as an England participant, however Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has already made such a telling impression that his absence from the Six Nations represents a savage setback for Steve Borthwick.
The 22-year-old Exeter wing has quickly emerged as a game-changing, match-winning asset for the nationwide workforce since head coach Borthwick picked him for final season’s competitors.
Feyi-Waboso simply appears to be like to the way born. He appears to be like like he belongs in worldwide rugby and he appears to be like like he’s going to light up it for a few years, scoring a stack of tries within the course of.
There have been so many wonderful glimpses of a stunning repertoire. Feyi-Waboso touched down 5 occasions in his first eight Take a look at appearances, after pledging allegiance to England over the land of his start, Wales.
Notably, he was in a position to strike in three successive fixtures in opposition to the All Blacks; two in July and one in November, to showcase his tempo and footwork, his spacial consciousness and his energy involved. He has additionally demonstrated that he’s a courageous, tenacious defender.
There was an explosive first attempt in opposition to Scotland at Murrayfield final February and, in England’s subsequent match, Feyi-Waboso had a key function in an epic win in opposition to Eire at Twickenham which stays the one assertion results of Borthwick’s tenure up to now.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been dominated out of the 2025 Six Nations resulting from a shoulder harm
Feyi-Waboso dislocated his shoulder earlier than Christmas whereas representing Exeter Chiefs
He hasn’t even had a yr with England but his absence is a serious blow to Steve Borthwick
The newcomer’s late break set the wheels in movement for the drop aim by Marcus Smith which introduced the home down and clinched a 23-22 upset victory in opposition to the eventual title-winners.
Borthwick will not be a variety gambler by nature however he has swiftly recognized that this thrilling tyro deserves to be a fixture in his facet.
Sadly, the early levels of his Take a look at profession have been punctuated by harm hassle. Concussion dominated him out of final yr’s Six Nations finale in opposition to France and an analogous situation reduce brief his involvement within the current Autumn Nations Sequence.
So, how will Borthwick reply? His plans are unravelling in a rush, actually within the again three.
First-choice full again George Furbank is about to overlook at the very least the primary two video games — in opposition to Eire in Dublin and the house conflict with France — with a damaged arm, and now this. It isn’t superb. In any respect.
In idea, the subsequent cab off the rank out huge is Northampton wing Ollie Sleightholme, however he was stood down from the Premiership conflict with league leaders Bathtub on Sunday.
Phil Dowson, Saints’ director of rugby, mentioned: ‘He felt his hamstring tighten up. One of many issues that blighted him early in his profession was soft-tissue stuff. We’re at all times very acutely aware of it and handle him appropriately, so we pulled him out of the sport.
‘I don’t suppose it’s too unhealthy however earlier than (he has) scans and a few days to really feel how it’s earlier than he opens up once more, I can’t inform you how unhealthy it’s.’
Feyi-Waboso has already proven early in his profession that he belongs on the worldwide stage
Borthwick is up in opposition to it, with first alternative full-back George Furbank additionally presently absent
The harm could impression Feyi-Waboso’s Lions hopes, however head coach Andy Farrell might nonetheless conclude the winger and his X-factor expertise is simply too good to disregard regardless of restricted expertise
If there’s any doubt concerning the availability of Sleightholme, Sale’s Tom Roebuck may very well be one other candidate to begin on the wing.
He scored his first Take a look at attempt in opposition to Japan in November in a promising cameo and his aerial prowess is more and more working in his favour, amid a crackdown by officers on so-called ‘escort’ runners.
Feyi-Waboso was left to think about one of the best plan of action himself and it’s to Borthwick’s credit score that, armed with the trump card of the Skilled Sport Partnership deal, which supplies him the ultimate say over medical issues, he has not sought to drive by a choice to go for rehab and play on.
As a substitute, pupil physician Feyi- Waboso has evidently made a smart determination together with his long-term welfare in thoughts.
Within the brief time period, it’s going to deprive him of extra England caps, however there shall be loads of these within the months and years forward. Past the Six Nations, it means he might be at full throttle for the enterprise finish of Exeter’s season and a summer season tour.
He has already finished sufficient to emerge as a contender for the Lions tour of Australia. Ideally, head coach Andy Farrell would have wished additional proof from the annual championship, or marquee league and Champions Cup fixtures, which the Chiefs received’t be a part of.
However Feyi-Waboso is a uncommon, X-factor expertise and Farrell should conclude that he’s too good to disregard.