Feyi-Waboso England Stood Down: Hamstring Delay Explained

The Feyi-Waboso England stood down news is a precaution rather than a new injury: the winger will miss Exeter Chiefs’ game this weekend while a hamstring problem heals, as RUCK reported. The 23-year-old picked up the injury against Newcastle Red Bulls at the start of October and has already missed Exeter’s defeat to Toulouse last weekend.

For me, England are right to be careful. He was expected back sooner, but his absence has now run past the initial expectations, and he missed this year’s Six Nations after a hamstring problem in January. England’s first autumn Test, against Australia, is on Sunday 8 November, so there is time to do this properly.

Why Is Feyi Waboso Not Playing For England Yet?

He is not playing for England because England have not played yet. Their autumn campaign starts on Sunday 8 November, which means he has missed no Tests for his country. What he has missed is club rugby: the Toulouse game last weekend and Exeter’s match this weekend.

He is on an England EPS contract, so England have a say in how the injury is handled. They have chosen to give him more time to recover fully before the autumn internationals rather than risk a setback.

That caution makes sense given how much Steve Borthwick relies on him. Feyi-Waboso started all three of England’s Nations Championship matches over the summer and crossed the try line against both Fiji and Argentina. At club level he started Exeter’s first three PREM Rugby games of the season and scored twice against Bath before he was hurt against Newcastle.

What Rob Baxter Said About Feyi-Waboso

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter was encouraging about the winger’s progress but ruled him out of this weekend. “It’s pretty good; he was running quite quickly,” Baxter said. “We’re pleased with his progress, but England are a bit more safety-first about it.”

He added that England’s medical staff are closely involved: “England physios are down here on a regular basis working alongside our head physio.”

The next step is a scan. “He’s going to have a re-scan at the weekend to help make the next decision for where things go next week,” Baxter said. “He won’t be available for this weekend, though.”

Feyi-Waboso Injury Absence: How Long Has It Lasted?

The winger missed Exeter’s defeat to Toulouse and will miss this weekend’s fixture after the injury against Newcastle at the start of October. The January hamstring problem kept him out of the whole Six Nations, so another setback could cost him a significant period again.

For me, that history is the strongest argument for England’s patience. A player who has started every one of England’s summer Nations Championship games is worth far more fit for the November run than rushed back for a single fixture.

England Autumn Internationals 2026: The Fixtures He Is Aiming For

England play Australia, Japan and New Zealand in the league phase, all at Allianz Stadium in London, before the finals weekend on 27–28 November. The top-ranked northern hemisphere side will face the top-ranked southern hemisphere side in the finals, and England will hope to be that northern side.

Date	Fixture	Venue	Referee
Sunday 8 November	England v Australia	Allianz Stadium, London	Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Saturday 14 November	England v Japan	Allianz Stadium, London	Damián Schneider (UAR)
Saturday 21 November	England v New Zealand	Allianz Stadium, London	Nic Berry (RA)

The match officials come from the full Nations Championship appointments list. You can follow all three games on our rugby on TV today guide.

Jack’s Verdict

I would keep Feyi-Waboso out of the Australia game on Sunday 8 November. Every league match counts if England want to finish as the top northern hemisphere side and reach the finals weekend on 27–28 November, but another hamstring setback after January’s would cost him far more than one Test. Japan on Saturday 14 November is the sensible comeback date, and it leaves him fresh for the All Blacks a week later. The best outcome is a clean scan this weekend, a measured return and Feyi-Waboso fit to face New Zealand on Saturday 21 November.

Your questions answered

Why is Feyi Waboso not playing for England?

He is out of Exeter’s game this weekend because of a hamstring injury picked up against Newcastle Red Bulls at the start of October. England have not played an autumn Test yet, so he has missed none for his country. They face Australia on Sunday 8 November and are giving him extra time to recover fully first.

Why does Immanuel Feyi-Waboso play for England?

He plays for England because Steve Borthwick has made him a key figure. He started all three of England’s Nations Championship matches over the summer and scored against both Fiji and Argentina. At 23, he is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in rugby union for his athleticism, technical ability and decision-making.

When could Feyi-Waboso return?

He has a re-scan this weekend, and Rob Baxter said the next decision on his progress comes next week. England open against Australia at Allianz Stadium on Sunday 8 November, then play Japan on Saturday 14 November and New Zealand on Saturday 21 November.

For more, see our international rugby news and Premiership Rugby coverage.