Exciting Exeter Chiefs wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is expected to be attending an England camp this week, in what is a major blow for Wales. The 21-year-old is said to be joining up with fellow England hopefuls at a pre-Six Nations camp, before the competition commences next month.
Feyi-Waboso represented Wales at age-grade level, and was highly regarded for a call-up into Warren Gatland’s squad whilst playing for Cardiff two seasons ago. Capable of playing across the wings or the centres, Feyi-Waboso has scored six tries in all competitions this season, and added his latest in Exeter’s dramatic defeat to Northampton Saints last weekend.
The exhilarating talent was reportedly named by England head coach Steve Borthwick, as a potential player to make an international breakthrough in the 2024 Six Nations. Borthwick will be looking to bolster his squad depth on the wings, following the international retirement of Jonny May after the Rugby World Cup, and Henry Arundell’s contract extension at Racing 92, ruling him out as ineligible for England.
Feyi-Waboso will attend one of four regional camps across the country, which are putting the promising England talents through their paces. Strong performances within these camps could put the talented winger in contention for the 2024 Six Nations, or even a call-up into the returning England ‘A’ side. Formerly the England Saxons, England ‘A’ will take on Portugal on February 24th at Northampton Saints home, Franklin’s Gardens.
It is understood that Feyi-Waboso has accepted the invitation to attend the England training camp, in which is a hammer-blow for Wales. However, the wing was already ineligible to play for Wales, as he has long been based outside of the country at club level. Feyi-Waboso joined the Chiefs after the financial collapse of Wasps, and has lined up his playing career with studying medicine at the University of Exeter. Due to being based outside of Wales, Feyi-Waboso rules himself out of Gatland’s plans, as he has not accrued more than 25 caps for the country.
This contractual arrangement was also witnessed in the saga of Joe Hawkins, with the centre opting to chose a club career with Exeter Chiefs over representing Wales at the Rugby World Cup. Hawkins was a star of the 2023 Six Nations, yet stepped out of the international fold after exiting the Ospreys in favour of a move down to Devon.
Steve Borthwick will name his 2024 Six Nations squad on January 17th, and will also appoint his new captain. This comes after Owen Farrell decided to step down from the England squad, and instead focus on prioritising his mental health. Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Jamie George and George Ford are considered amongst the front runners to the vacant England captaincy. England then begin their 2024 Six Nations campaign against Italy on Saturday 3rd February, in Rome.