Feyi-Waboso compared to Jason Robinson by England coach

Kevin Sinfield, England’s assistant coach, has compared injury-prone wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to Jason Robinson, the player who helped England win the Rugby World Cup. According to BBC Sport, Sinfield said the 2026 squad has a player with the same mix of pace and power, but that a run of injuries has held him back.

Since making his Test debut against Italy in 2024, the wing has crossed nine times across 17 England appearances. His progress has repeatedly been interrupted. A shoulder problem kept him out of the 2025 Six Nations. In 2026 a hamstring issue, picked up in training before England’s opening win over Wales, brought his tournament to an early close.

Back fit this summer, he touched down in victories against Fiji and Argentina. His latest setback came in the first half of Sunday’s match against Australia, when he damaged an ankle in the 32nd minute. He limped on until half-time before being replaced. England won the game 45-22.

Coaching staff weigh player wishes and fitness

Sinfield said Feyi-Waboso wanted to keep playing, and that this influenced the decision to leave him on the pitch for a time. Staff could not scan him on the grass, so they relied on what they could see. Sinfield said it was right for coaches to listen to players in such moments.

The England setup makes the last call on how contracted squad members are conditioned and kept in shape. Relations with Feyi-Waboso’s club, Exeter, have had disagreements in the past over his treatment. According to BBC Sport, those ties have improved, and England approved his return for June’s Premiership final, only three weeks after a facial fracture.

Sinfield stressed that the two sides must work closely, because these players feature in a heavy schedule of rugby. He said keeping them fit for major matches would be essential.

Squad changes ahead of Japan

England will be without Ollie Chessum, George Furbank and Seb Atkinson for Saturday’s match against Japan. Flanker Tom Curry has also been ruled out of the rest of the autumn campaign after aggravating a long-standing hip problem. Caluori, a 20-year-old from Saracens, touched down on his first England appearance in July, against Fiji. He has now been selected to replace Feyi-Waboso.

The Japan fixture is part of the Nations Championship and kicks off at 16:40 GMT on Saturday 14 November at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. It will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live and on the BBC Sport website and app.

Sinfield’s charity work on motor neurone disease

Sinfield was recently knighted for his services to both rugby codes and for his work raising money and awareness of motor neurone disease. He has raised more than £13m for charities working on the illness. Last month he ran seven ultra marathons across a single week. His next challenge, set for late May, will see him complete seven marathons over a week across New Zealand and Australia.

Sinfield’s former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow died from the disease in June 2024, aged 41. Sinfield said the work must continue because there is still no cure.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• BBC Sport: Injured Feyi-Waboso is our Robinson – Sinfield

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