Why losing Lions contender Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is such a crushing blow for damaged England - and how Steve Borthwick can fix ailing back line
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He has not even completed a full year as an England player, but Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has already made such a telling impact that his absence from the Six Nations represents a savage setback for Steve Borthwick. The 22-year-old Exeter wing has rapidly emerged as a game-changing, match-winning asset for the national team since head coach Borthwick picked him for last season’s competition.
![[Feyi-Waboso dislocated his shoulder before Christmas while representing Exeter Chiefs]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/00/93808413-14256437-image-m-4_1736209589437.jpg)
Feyi-Waboso just looks to the manner born. He looks like he belongs in international rugby and he looks like he is going to illuminate it for many years, scoring a stack of tries in the process. There have been so many glorious glimpses of a dazzling repertoire. Feyi-Waboso touched down five times in his first eight Test appearances, after pledging allegiance to England over the land of his birth, Wales.
![[He hasn't even had a year with England yet his absence is a major blow to Steve Borthwick]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/00/93803249-14256437-Feyi_Waboso_has_opted_to_undergo_surgery_and_will_now_be_absent_-a-5_1736209606743.jpg)
Notably, he was able to strike in three successive fixtures against the All Blacks; two in July and one in November, to showcase his pace and footwork, his spacial awareness and his power in contact. He has also demonstrated that he is a brave, tenacious defender.
![[Feyi-Waboso has already shown early in his career that he belongs on the international stage]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/00/93803261-14256437-The_winger_dislocated_his_shoulder_before_Christmas_and_had_been-a-6_1736209724871.jpg)
There was an explosive first try against Scotland at Murrayfield last February and, in England’s next match, Feyi-Waboso had a key role in an epic win against Ireland at Twickenham which remains the only statement result of Borthwick’s tenure to date.
![[Borthwick is up against it, with first choice full-back George Furbank also currently absent]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/00/93808501-14256437-image-a-8_1736209850208.jpg)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been ruled out of the 2025 Six Nations due to a shoulder injury. Feyi-Waboso dislocated his shoulder before Christmas while representing Exeter Chiefs. He hasn't even had a year with England yet his absence is a major blow to Steve Borthwick.
![[The injury may impact Feyi-Waboso's Lions hopes, but head coach Andy Farrell could still conclude the winger and his X-factor talent is too good to ignore despite limited experience]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/00/93808267-14256437-image-a-7_1736209811658.jpg)
