3. Borthwick Calls Up Seven Uncapped Players With Feyi-Waboso Confirmed
Borthwick named a total of seven uncapped players in his squad for the Six Nations; Northampton Saints stars Fin Smith and Fraser Dingwall enter the fray, along with Harlequins bolters Chandler Cunningham-South and Oscar Beard. Exeter Chiefs back-row Ethan Roots and wing Immaneul Feyi-Waboso come in from Devon, and Sale’s Tom Roebuck is selected despite discussions of a possible inclusion for Scotland.
In the live press conference, Borthwick spoke prominently about Feyi-Waboso’s call-up to the squad, after the Cardiff-born wing cemented his England intentions in recent regional pre-competitions camps. Another top talent that won’t be playing for Wales anytime soon, Borthwick was delighted to have secured Feyi-Waboso’s services, and re-called the phone conversation to tell the 21-year-old the news.
“So Manny and I spoke some weeks ago, and I’ve been in regular contact with him and particularly with Rob Baxter, as well, who’s been excellent. And Manny’s really impressed us, not just on the pitch, I think we can all see the the power that he brings, the speed that he brings, and how he finds a way through contact when they dosn’t appear to be your way through that.
“He’s a real mature guy. What he’s doing, he started his studies, medicine studies, and then playing for Wasps. Then to have gone through what Wasps went through, then move down to Exeter, restart from a rugby perspective and restart from a studies perspective. Really, a real sense of maturity within a young man, but really excited about this step.”
“When I rang him yesterday, and I spoke to him yesterday evening, and I asked ‘what are you doing?’, and he says, ‘I’ve just finished my university studies for the day, just wrapped up’ and I said, ‘I’m announcing the Six Nations squad tomorrow, and I’m naming you.’ I could sense that excitement and buzz down the phone, he was he was thrilled. That gave me a real buzz as well.”
4. Henry Slade and Alex Dombrandt Return After Rugby World Cup Disappointment
“He’s (Henry Slade) played well. I know, it’s obvious to say but you look at Slade in particular, he’s been a match winner for Exeter this season, incredible disappointment of not being selected in the World Cup, and what’s he doing? He’s gone back to his club, and he’s been tremendous.
“I think it’s three or four times he’s hit the match winning kick, match winning interception. He’s been the guy clearly that they come to the most. That young team that has been developing at Exeter, that will be seen looking to him, and he’s been magnificent.
“I think ‘Dommers’, (Alex Dombrandt) again, a player who featured in the last Six Nations, he was in the squad prior to the World Cup. Disappointing to miss out, but I see a player who’s gone and played well this season.”