Why losing Lions contender Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is such a crushing blow for damaged England – and how Steve Borthwick can fix ailing back line

He hasn’t even completed a full year as an England player yet, but Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has already made such a significant impression that his absence from the Six Nations is a major setback for Steve Borthwick.

The 22-year-old Exeter forward has quickly emerged as a game-changing, match-winning signing for the national team since head coach Borthwick selected him for the competition last season.

Feyi-Waboso just looks at the way he was born. He looks like he belongs in international rugby and looks set to shine for many years to come, scoring a pile of tries along the way.

There have been so many glorious glimpses of a dazzling repertoire. Feyi-Waboso landed five times in his first eight Test appearances after pledging allegiance to England over his native Wales.

Notably, he was able to strike in three consecutive games against the All Blacks; two in July and one in November, to demonstrate his pace and footwork, his spatial awareness and his power in contact. He has also shown himself to be a brave, tenacious defender.

There was an explosive first try against Scotland at Murrayfield last February and in England’s next match, Feyi-Waboso played a key role in an epic win against Ireland at Twickenham, which is the only statement result of Borthwick’s tenure to date.

Feyi-Waboso dislocated his shoulder while representing Exeter Chiefs before Christmas

He hasn’t even played a year for England yet, but his absence is a major blow for Steve Borthwick

The newcomer’s late break set the wheels in motion for Marcus Smith’s drop goal, which brought the house down and recorded a 23-22 victory against the eventual title winners.

Borthwick is not a selection gambler by nature, but he has quickly recognized that this exciting Tyro deserves to be a regular in his side.

Unfortunately, the early stages of his Test career were interrupted by injury problems. A concussion ruled him out of last year’s Six Nations final against France and a similar problem ended his involvement in the recent Autumn Nations Series.

How will Borthwick react? His plans are quickly falling apart, especially in the back three.

First-choice full-back George Furbank will miss at least the first two games – against Ireland in Dublin and the home game against France – with a broken arm, and now this. It’s not ideal. Not at all.

In theory, the next cab off the table is Northampton wing Ollie Sleightholme, but he was withdrawn from Sunday’s Premier League match with league leaders Bath.

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said: “He felt his hamstring stiffening. One of the things that destroyed him early in his career was the soft tissues. We are always very aware of it and manage it appropriately, so we removed it from the game.

‘I don’t think it’s that bad, but before he has scans and a few days to feel what it’s like before he opens up again, I can’t tell you how bad it is.’

Feyi-Waboso has shown early in his career that he belongs on the international stage

Borthwick is affected, while first-choice full-back George Furbank is also currently absent

The injury could impact Feyi-Waboso’s Lions hopes, but head coach Andy Farrell may still conclude the winger and his X-factor talent are too good to ignore despite limited experience

If there is any doubt about Sleightholme’s availability, Sale’s Tom Roebuck could be another candidate to start on the wing.

He scored his first Test try against Japan in November in a promising cameo and his aerial skills are increasingly working in his favor amid a crackdown by officials on so-called ‘escort runners’.

Feyi-Waboso has had to think for himself about the best course of action and it is to Borthwick’s credit that, armed with the trump card of the Professional Game Partnership deal, which gives him the final say on medical matters, he has not tried to push through. a decision to recuperate and continue playing.

Instead, student doctor Feyi-Waboso apparently made a wise decision with his long-term well-being in mind.

In the short term it will rob him of even more England caps, but there will be plenty of them in the months and years to come. In addition to the Six Nations, this means he can be firing on all cylinders for the business end of Exeter’s season and a summer tour.

He has already done enough to emerge as a contender for the Lions tour of Australia. Ideally, head coach Andy Farrell would have wanted more evidence of the annual championship, major league and Champions Cup matches, which the Chiefs will not be part of.

But Feyi-Waboso is a rare X-factor talent and Farrell may still conclude he is too good to ignore.