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England have suffered a major setback on the eve of their Six Nations opener against Wales on Saturday with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso ruled out with a hamstring injury, prompting a surprise recall for Tom Roebuck.
Roebuck is the beneficiary of Feyi-Waboso’s injury, called into the side to make a first appearance since picking up a toe injury in England’s November victory over the All Blacks. England are still investigating the extent of Feyi-Waboso’s injury – sustained in training on Thursday – and it remains to be seen if he will feature at all in the Six Nations.
“[Manny] pulled out of training in the last 60 seconds and unfortunately won’t be available this weekend,” said the England assistant coach Tom Harrison. “He sustained pulled muscle in the leg area. Does it disrupt some plans? Yes it does because it’s changing a player. But we’ve done everything we can to make sure the next player is ready.”
The head coach Steve Borthwick had said that Roebuck was “a week or so” from full fitness when omitting him from the initial matchday squad earlier in the week, suggesting he was on track to make his comeback against Scotland next week, but the Sale wing has received the nod over Elliot Daly.
“Steve said the other day [Tom would] be ready in a couple of days,” added Harrison. “In an ideal world, we’d have given him an extra week but the world isn’t ideal as we know. He trained fully yesterday and he’s been exceptional around the squad. I’m excited to see him go.”
Feyi-Waboso’s absence is a blow for Borthwick given the Exeter wing has been in fine form for club and country this season. He started all four autumn Tests, scoring two tries in England’s 100% winning campaign and re-establishing himself on the international stage after missing last year’s Six Nations with a shoulder injury.
The 23-year-old represented Wales under-18s before pledging his allegiance to England but his late withdrawal means he is still yet to appear against Saturday’s opponents. “Any player would be disappointed with an injury,” said the England back-rower Sam Underhill. “We’re gutted for him. He’s a very emotionally resilient guy, he’s a hard-working guy. Anyone doing a medical degree and playing rugby probably has a level of resilience anyway. He’s a good guy, no doubt he’ll be back better for it but yeah, it’s disappointing.”
Despite Roebuck’s lack of game time and question marks over his fitness, he has proved himself an impressive operator on the international stage. He started both autumn victories against Australia and New Zealand, scoring the fourth and final try against the All Blacks, having cemented his spot on the right wing in last year’s thumping victory over Wales in Cardiff. Borthwick has called up the Bristol prop Max Lahiff into his squad to bolster front-row numbers with the Bath youngster Billy Sela absent due to injury.
Despite the disruption, England are red-hot favourites to extend their winning run to 12 matches with Wales on a Six Nations losing streak that dates back to 2023. The England captain Jamie George is expecting a fearsome challenge against their great rivals, however.
“It’s hostile. There’s confrontation. They are tough games,” said George. “You feel it in the stadiums you play at, whether that’s the Allianz or the Principality. It’s like there’s a different energy in the crowd and that plays into the way the game is played and it’s so confrontational. That’s why they are great games to be part of.”
