England: Steve Borthwick explains factors behind Immanuel Feyi-Waboso inclusion despite suspension
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in action for England in Nov 2024.
England head coach Steve Borthwick feels Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s X-factor ability makes him too good a player to leave at home this summer, despite his suspension.
The Exeter Chiefs winger copped a three-game ban, reduced to two with tackle school, following a red card in England XV’s 26-24 defeat to France XV last Saturday, a ban which rules him out of the two-Test series against Argentina.
But, with him being able to reduce his ban to two weeks should he go to tackle school, he will be free to play on their third Test of the tour against the USA.
‘This is an opportunity to work with him’
Feyi-Waboso had become a regular feature in the Test side since his debut in the 2024 Six Nations, but prior to Saturday’s match at Allianz Stadium he hadn’t played a single match since December after suffering a dislocated shoulder.
But, even in spite of his suspension, Borthwick is still excited about the prospect of having his key winger back in the mix.
“I want players who have that X-factor in an England shirt,” Borthwick told BBC Five Live’s Rugby Union Weekly.
“I want players who want the ball in their hands and will get the crowd on their feet.”
Following that initial injury, Feyi-Waboso has endured a bumpy six months in an effort to get back onto the pitch. After initially opting to rehab the injury rather than have an operation, he returned to the wider England camp during the Six Nations, but he later re-injured the same shoulder.
After that, he decided to undergo an operation, which ruled him out for the rest of the domestic season.
“Manny has worked hard to get back from injury and looks in great condition,” Borthwick continued.
“He missed the whole of the Six Nations, and unfortunately now he has been suspended, but I still feel this is an opportunity to work with him for those couple of weeks.”
Feyi-Waboso is among an exciting group of wingers named in the 36-man squad, alongside Tom Roebuck, Cadan Murley and Will Muir. Oscar Beard and Freddie Steward are also options out wide.
