‘Definitely my decision’ – Immanuel Feyi-Waboso reveals why he picked England over Wales

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has opened up about his decision to play international rugby for England, saying he knew the time to choose between the Red Rose and Wales would come, but not quite so soon.

The 21-year-old wing has had a rapid rise to the top as he was still helping Taunton Titans avoid relegation from National League One last year, but now he is part of England’s Six Nations squad and made his Test debut in their Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome.

In fine form for Exeter Chiefs

After shining at club level with several superb performances for Exeter Chiefs, it was obvious that Feyi-Waboso would soon have to decide whether he would commit to England or Wales.

Despite being born and raised in Cardiff, he qualifies for England through his grandmother, and the battle for his allegiance started when Red Rose head coach Steve Borthwick first called him last November.

By January, he had made his decision and was selected in Borthwick’s squad for the Six Nations before making his Test bow against the Azzurri earlier this month.

“The first conversation I had with Steve was after Northampton away, and that wasn’t even a good game for me. That was a terrible game for me!” Feyi-Waboso said.

“He rang me after that and said I’m on his radar. I was really shocked at the call, and I kind of thought he was just saying I’m in his mind, but obviously, I’m here now.

“It’s always been something to think about. I moved to England. A lot of my family are English.

“My grandmother [Margaret Spence Taylor] is English and lives in Gloucester. My dad [Andrew] is half-English, and my mum’s Nigerian.

“As soon as I got into England, it was a decision to think about, but I thought it would be a lot further in the future.

“I blocked out a lot of the noise (around the decision). I have a lot of good people around me, like family. They helped my decision and definitely didn’t force my hand. It was definitely my decision.”

Wales thought it was a formality for Feyi-Waboso to pledge his allegiance to them, but they underestimated the strength of his English ties and determination to study medicine.

He received three A stars for his ‘A’ levels, but despite that, he was unable to secure a place at Cardiff University and having then enrolled at Aston University, the financial collapse of his club Wasps placed him in limbo.

Exeter provided him with a new home and a place at Exeter University, where he is finishing his studies for a medical degree.

“I enjoy learning; it’s what I enjoyed even before rugby. If I wasn’t playing rugby, my ideal situation would be just to stay in uni, keep learning, keep going,” he said.

“But obviously, being a doctor is a career of constant learning. You don’t really stop. You do five years in uni; then you have two foundation years, then specialise … it’s not boring.

“I feel like learning is now habitual. It’s just something that I really want to do – become a doctor.”

Tough balancing act

He admits that combining his medical studies with the demands of playing professional rugby for Exeter and England is a tough balancing act, and he is being assisted by England team doctor Katy Hornby.

“I have an exam in a couple of weeks. So I might have to go back for that, do the exam, then come back to the Six Nations,” said Feyi-Waboso.

“I also have an exam three days after we come back from France, so I’ll be revising. It can be a lot to think about, but you make timetables, and you manage – you do manage.

“And there’s a lot of help around – I’m going to do some exam prep with the [RFU] doc.”

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