England head coach Steve Borthwick has been handed an injury blow ahead of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations with the news that Exeter Chiefs star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will miss the entirety of the Championship.
Medical student Feyi-Waboso dislocated his shoulder in a Gallagher Premiership clash with the Sale Sharks on December 21st 2024.
The news comes as a blow for a player who was nominated for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player Of The Year award last, having scored five tries in eight tests in 2024.
This form saw the England winger become a favourite to tour with the 2025 British and Irish Lions when Andy Farrell names his squad later this year. Given his reported recovery time is set to be between 10 – 12 weeks, Feyi-Waboso could still work his way back into consideration for selection if he hits the ground running with the Chiefs upon his return.
Adding a further headache for Borthwick was the injury to Northampton Saints fullback George Furbank, who, too, is ruled out of the Six Nations.
Having assumed possession of the number 15 shirt for England in 2024, Furbank’s injury will mean that Borthwick will be without two of his first-choice back-three players.
Fortunately for England, they are blessed with several top-quality operators in the backfield, with the likes of Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme, George Hendy, Tom Roebuck, Freddie Steward and Cadan Murley, among others, all in good form.
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