England star at risk of lacking the remainder of the season – and Lions obligation – after belatedly present process shoulder surgical procedure

England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is in grave danger of missing the rest of the season and being ruled out of contention for the Lions tour, after belatedly undergoing shoulder surgery.

The 22-year-old Exeter prodigy suffered a dislocated shoulder during his club’s Premiership clash with Sale in Salford just before Christmas and after having scans on the damaged joint, the decision was taken to have an operation. 

However, what followed was a messy saga which has critically delayed Feyi-Waboso’s recovery process and shone a harsh light on the new club-country deal.

When England head coach Steve Borthwick named his Six Nations training squad on January 14, he publicly confirmed that – as first revealed by Mail Sport – the breakthrough star and medical student had opted for surgery. An operation was scheduled but, for reasons which remain unclear at this stage, it didn’t take place.

There was an awareness that Feyi-Waboso would be out of action for three months if he went ahead with the operation, meaning he would miss the annual championship, having emerged as a vital new asset in England’s back line last year, with five tries in his first eight Tests. 

Earlier this month, it came to light that the young Chiefs sensation had changed tack and opted for a non-surgical course of rehab on the shoulder. 

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has belatedly decided to undergo surgery on a dislocated shoulder

Steve Borthwick had confirmed that Feyi-Waboso had opted for surgery back in January

The Bath prodigy – and medical student – was due to come into camp for a medical assessment last week

After his team’s epic 26-25 win over France in the last round of the Six Nations, Borthwick revealed that Feyi-Waboso was due to come into camp last week for medical assessment. 

The feeling at the time was that he was making good progress and could be in contention for a return to international action before the end of the current campaign.

Instead, there has been another twist. Last night, the flier posted pictures on a social media account showing he was in hospital. 

Mail Sport has learned that, almost two months after suffering his injury, Feyi-Waboso has finally had a shoulder operation and is unlikely to play again this season – unless he is able to recover faster than expected. Exeter’s last Premiership fixture is at home against Sale on May 31.

It is bad news for the struggling Devon club and reflects badly on the PGP deal which was meant to ensure a greater level of co-operation in the management of leading England players. 

As per the terms of the agreement, Borthwick has the final say in the event of a debate about the best course of action, so there will be early scrutiny of that arrangement.

For Feyi-Waboso himself, this is a major blow, despite his own picture caption which read: ‘Minor setbacks, we go again.’ He had made such an immediate impression with England that he had emerged as a contender to make the Lions squad and perhaps even the Test XV. 

Now, without any game-time for six months before the British and Irish crusade to Australia, his hopes have surely gone. He appears to have become the unwitting victim of a botched recovery plan.