Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury: England await ankle checks after Australia win

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso needs further checks on an ankle injury after being forced off during England’s 45-22 win over Australia at Twickenham on Sunday.

The Exeter wing received treatment to his right ankle late in the first half and initially continued, but did not return after the break. Henry Pollock replaced him on the wing and scored twice as England opened their November Nations Championship fixtures with seven tries.

Steve Borthwick could not confirm the extent of the problem after the match, leaving Feyi-Waboso’s availability for Saturday’s meeting with Japan uncertain.

“Manny needs a little bit more investigation,” Borthwick said, in comments reported by RugbyPass. “We don’t quite know.”

What happened to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso?

Feyi-Waboso was hurt in the first half, with Australia prop Angus Bell shown a yellow card for a hip-drop tackle. The wing was later seen wearing a protective boot, although Borthwick’s initial update did not establish a diagnosis or recovery timetable.

It interrupted an influential display. Feyi-Waboso had crossed inside the opening two minutes, only for the try to be ruled out for a forward pass earlier in the move, and repeatedly troubled Australia with his carrying.

The ankle problem follows a recent return from a separate hamstring injury. Feyi-Waboso was back in Exeter’s starting side for their Premiership meeting with Harlequins on 31 October.

Seb Atkinson also faces fitness assessment

England also lost Seb Atkinson to a hip injury in the second half. Borthwick was more optimistic about the centre, saying the initial expectation was a recovery measured in days rather than a lengthy absence.

However, Atkinson was sore and bruised, and the head coach said it was too early to determine whether he would be available against Japan.

As The Independent reported, Fraser Dingwall and Max Ojomoh offer alternatives at inside centre. Cadan Murley and Noah Caluori are among the wing options if Feyi-Waboso cannot play. Those are possible selection changes, rather than confirmed replacements.

When do England play next?

England host Japan on Saturday 14 November, with kick-off at 4.40pm GMT. New Zealand then visit Twickenham on Saturday 21 November for a 2.10pm start, according to England Rugby’s fixture schedule.

Borthwick therefore has a six-day turnaround before the next Test. England went into the Australia match without scrum-half Alex Mitchell following his hamstring injury.

Pollock’s contribution gave England effective emergency cover on Sunday. Whether Feyi-Waboso can reclaim his place against Japan now depends on the further assessment Borthwick is awaiting.