England are set to go into the Six Nations without two of their first-choice back three players after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was ruled out of the championship after his decision to undergo shoulder surgery.
The 22-year-old Exeter winger is set to miss the entire tournament, joining the Northampton full-back George Furbank on the sidelines and dealing Steve Borthwick a major setback before a crucial Six Nations.
Feyi-Waboso suffered a dislocated shoulder in Exeter’s defeat by Sale last month. He had been weighing up whether to have an operation and the trainee doctor has come to the decision to go under the knife. Feyi-Waboso is one of the 17 players handed an enhanced contract in October – giving Borthwick the final say over sports science matters – and it is understood the decision was made after consultation with England.
The Exeter director of rugby, Rob Baxter, had previously expressed hope that Feyi-Waboso’s lay-off would not be so disruptive, suggesting the dislocation was only brief, but the outlook is bleak for England. It is also a blow for Andy Farrell, who is currently undertaking a reconnaissance mission in Australia before this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour. Feyi-Waboso will have the chance to stake his claim upon his return – expected in late March – but Farrell would have wanted to see him in action during the Six Nations.
In his absence, the Northampton pair of Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme would be favourites to start England’s Six Nations opener, against Ireland on February 1st, though the latter pulled out of Saints’ thrilling win over Bath on Sunday with a hamstring problem. Gabriel Ibitoye, who starred for England A during the autumn and is arguably the form winger of the Premiership this season, is also sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Feyi-Waboso’s absence will be keenly felt, however. He has enjoyed a stellar 12 months for England and shone in their thrilling one-point win against Ireland last March. Carrying that form through the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, as well as into the autumn, Feyi-Waboso was shortlisted for World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year award.
Furbank, meanwhile, is nursing a broken arm sustained in Northampton’s Champions Cup victory over the Bulls last month. Asked over the weekend if Furbank would recover before the Six Nations the Northampton director of rugby, Phil Dowson, said: “Not that I’m expecting, no. It’s four weeks plus. A decent period of time yet.” — Guardian
