England handed a serious harm scare on the eve of their Six Nations opener with Wales
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has handed England an injury scare on the eve of their Six Nations opener with Wales after reporting a leg injury.
The in-form Exeter wing wasn’t involved in the last part of Steve Borthwick‘s side’s training session at their Pennyhill Park base on Thursday.
England are investigating the severity of the 23-year-old’s problem, leaving him a doubt to face the country of his birth on Saturday.
England head coach Borthwick is unlikely to risk one of his most important players if there is any doubt over his fitness, but will be hoping he can be given the greenlight to play.
Feyi-Waboso was named to start on the right wing against the Welsh on Monday.
If he is deemed unavailable, Borthwick will be forced into a back-line reshuffle.
England have a major injury concern around the fitness of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (right) ahead of their Six Nations opener against Wales
He could move Tommy Freeman from the centre back to the right wing, but it is more likely Elliot Daly would slot in as a direct wing replacement if needed with Henry Arundell in the other wide berth.
Feyi-Waboso missed last season’s Six Nations and the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia after suffering a serious shoulder problem. But he has been back to his best this season, impressing in the PREM Rugby with his club.
Feyi-Waboso also started all four of England’s November Tests, scoring against both Fiji and Argentina as a part of the national side’s ongoing 11-game winning streak.
England senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth said: ‘The only slight concern we have is Manny.
‘He just pulled up at the end of training, so he’d be the only little concern. Other than that, we are fit and healthy and ready to go. His leg’s sore. We’re just waiting to investigate that a little bit more.’
England lost only once in 2025 and arrived at their team hotel in Richmond ahead of facing Wales on Thursday night.
Jamie George will captain Borthwick’s side with usual skipper Maro Itoje on the bench.
Itoje arrived late at England’s pre-Championship training camp in Girona due to him attending the funeral of his late mother Florence which was held in Nigeria.
‘It’s a privilege. I love this job. Being able to do this is the best thing in the world,’ said hooker George of his leadership role. ‘It’s an incredible opportunity to be doing it again. It’s probably for one week only, so I’m making the most of it.’
