England have suffered another blow ahead of the Six Nations, with Exeter Chiefs winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso set to miss the tournament.
The 22-year-old emerged as the star of a mixed 2024 for Steve Borthwick’s side but opted to have surgery on a shoulder problem.
Feyi-Waboso was injured during Exeter’s Premiership defeat to Sale Sharks on December 21, with the winger forced off the field just before half-time.
This risks sidelining him for the duration of the tournament, with England opening their campaign against Ireland in Dublin on February 1.
Feyi-Waboso’s absence compounds Borthwick’s problems in the final three games, with first-choice full-back George Furbank also set to miss at least the first two Six Nations matches with a broken arm.
Borthwick will confirm his squad on Tuesday (January 14) ahead of a crucial period for the head coach following a disappointing autumn which saw England beaten in three of their four matches.
Feyi-Waboso broke into the team during last year’s Six Nations and has since become a regular in the starting line-up, despite missing three games with concussions in his first year at Test level.
Potential alternatives considered by Borthwick for inclusion in his squad are Bristol’s Gabriel Ibitoye, who has been in flying form, and Bath’s Will Muir. However, both men are also injury doubts, with Ibitoye battling a leg problem and Muir appearing to pick up a hamstring injury during his side’s thrilling defeat at Northampton.
Ollie Sleightholme, who replaced Feyi-Waboso in the autumn, did not play for the Saints in this match after withdrawing late from the matchday squad. Tom Roebuck from Sale is a regular member of Borthwick teams and hopes to push for greater involvement.
Feyi-Waboso’s injury dismissal also represents a blow to his hopes of making his case for British and Irish Lions selection ahead of the summer tour to Australia.
Andy Farrell is currently on a reconnaissance trip alongside key personnel as the head coach begins to assemble his ideal group of assistants ahead of the Six Nations who will help him determine the makeup of his squad.