England head into their Six Nations opener against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday with a forced late change.
Wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was ruled out on Friday because of a hamstring issue suffered in training the day before.
The Exeter Chiefs flyer was named to start on the right wing for Saturday’s clash but has withdrawn after pulling up in training. He has been replaced in the starting XV by Sale Sharks wing Tom Roebuck.
Feyi-Waboso emerged as an injury doubt on Thursday after limping out late from England’s final training session, prompting the management to take a cautious approach on the eve of the Test at Twickenham.
“Manny just pulled up at the very end,” England assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth told BBC Sport’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast. “His leg’s sore. There was nothing specific, and he walked off.”
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Feyi-Waboso is expected to be available for England’s round-two fixture away to Scotland.
The setback continues a frustrating run with injuries for the 22-year-old this season. He also had a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a shoulder injury sustained in December 2024, which ruled him out of the British & Irish Lions tour in the middle of last year.
England go into the match on an 11-game winning streak and intent on winning the Six Nations for the first time in six years. Wales, by contrast, have lost 21 of their last 23 Tests.
England’s run suggests they are genuine contenders to win the Six Nations for the first time in six years.
ENGLAND – 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Guy Pepper, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Ellis Genge.
Bench: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith.
The boys expect England to make it 12 Test wins in a row at Twickenham on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/jw3mXqYf90
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) February 5, 2026
Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
