Immanuel Feyi-Waboso hamstring injury raises fresh concerns for England ahead of November internationals

England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is facing another nervous wait over his fitness after suffering a hamstring injury during Exeter Chiefs’ 34-28 Premiership victory over Newcastle at Sandy Park.

The 23-year-old was forced off 15 minutes into the second half of Exeter’s first league win of the season, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming international fixtures in November. Exeter are expected to assess the problem after a scan, with the club waiting for a clearer picture of the injury before determining how long the winger might be sidelined.

The early indications from Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter suggest that the issue may not be as serious as some initially feared. However, with Feyi-Waboso having already experienced injury setbacks during the past year, England will be keen to avoid another prolonged absence for one of their exciting attacking players.

Baxter offered a measured assessment of the situation, suggesting that the winger had overloaded his hamstring rather than suffered a major tear. His comments provide some encouragement, although the results of the scan will be important in determining the next steps.

What happened to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso against Newcastle?

Feyi-Waboso had been involved in Exeter’s opening three Premiership matches of the campaign and was again part of the side as the Chiefs looked to secure their first victory of the season.

Exeter eventually came through a competitive contest against Newcastle, winning 34-28 at Sandy Park. The result provided a welcome boost for the club, but the sight of Feyi-Waboso leaving the field early in the second half took some of the shine off the victory.

According to Baxter, the winger first reported discomfort in his hamstring but continued playing. He subsequently took part in another kick chase, regained possession at full speed and tracked back defensively before deciding that something did not feel right.

Baxter explained that the player had continued after initially reporting the problem, but the discomfort remained.

The Exeter director of rugby said he did not believe the injury was catastrophic and did not think it involved a major hamstring pull. Nevertheless, the club considered the situation serious enough to warrant a scan and a closer medical assessment.

Baxter described the problem as more of a concern than a long-term worry, a distinction that will offer some reassurance to Exeter supporters and England fans.

Until the scan results are available, however, it would be premature to put a definite return date on the winger’s recovery.

Why England will be watching the scan results closely

Feyi-Waboso’s injury comes at an important stage of the international calendar. England are scheduled to face Australia, Japan and New Zealand in November as the second half of the Nations Championship gets underway.

The Exeter winger started all three of England’s Nations Championship matches during the summer, underlining his importance to the team’s plans. He also scored tries against Fiji and Argentina, demonstrating the attacking threat he can offer at international level.

His combination of pace, direct running and ability to exploit space makes him a valuable option on the wing. Against strong international opposition, those qualities can make a difference when England need to turn half-chances into points.

The November programme also presents England with three different challenges. Australia bring an aggressive and energetic style, Japan can threaten opponents through their speed and movement, while New Zealand remain a formidable test of any team’s defensive organisation and attacking precision.

Having an in-form Feyi-Waboso available would give England another dangerous attacking option across those fixtures.

The immediate priority, though, will be establishing the extent of the injury rather than rushing the winger back into action. A return to fitness will depend on the medical findings, his response to rehabilitation and whether he can resume full-speed running without discomfort.

England’s coaching staff will have to consider alternative selections if the scan reveals a more significant problem. For now, there is no confirmed indication that Feyi-Waboso will miss the November internationals.

A worrying pattern after previous injury setbacks

The latest hamstring concern is particularly frustrating because Feyi-Waboso has already spent significant periods on the sidelines.

He missed the 2025 Six Nations after sustaining a hamstring injury in January. The setback disrupted his international campaign and prevented him from contributing during a major part of England’s season.

He also missed the second half of the 2024-25 campaign because of a shoulder injury. Those absences interrupted his progress at a time when he was establishing himself as an important player for both Exeter and England.

For a young winger, consecutive injury problems can make it difficult to maintain momentum. Returning to competitive rugby requires more than simply recovering from pain; players must also rebuild confidence, regain match sharpness and tolerate the repeated accelerations, changes of direction and high-speed efforts demanded by their position.

Hamstring injuries are especially relevant for outside backs because sprinting and chasing kicks place considerable demands on the muscles at the back of the thigh. Medical staff generally assess the severity of the injury, the player’s strength and flexibility, and their ability to accelerate and reach full speed before clearing a return to competition.

That does not mean Feyi-Waboso is facing another lengthy absence. The severity of hamstring injuries varies considerably, and the club’s initial comments do not establish a diagnosis. The scan should help clarify the situation.

The most important consideration will be ensuring that any return is managed carefully enough to reduce the risk of aggravating the problem.

What this means for Exeter Chiefs

Exeter will also be hoping the injury proves minor. The Chiefs have made an important start to rebuilding their Premiership campaign with the victory over Newcastle, and maintaining a settled backline will be valuable as the competition progresses.

Feyi-Waboso started each of Exeter’s first three league matches this season and showed his attacking potential with two tries against Bath in the previous round. His ability to finish opportunities and threaten defenders gives Exeter a useful weapon in their wider attacking game.

Losing him for even a short period would require the coaching staff to reconsider their options on the wing. The extent of any adjustment will depend on the scan results and the length of time he might need to recover.

The timing is also significant because the international window is approaching. Exeter must balance their immediate Premiership ambitions with the possibility that one of their leading attacking players could be involved in England’s November campaign.

For now, the club’s priority will be to establish whether the problem is a minor overload or something that requires a more cautious rehabilitation programme.

Baxter’s comments suggest that Exeter are not immediately anticipating a catastrophic outcome. That is encouraging, but it should not be mistaken for confirmation that the winger has escaped a serious injury.

The road ahead for Feyi-Waboso

The coming days should provide a clearer indication of Feyi-Waboso’s condition and whether he can return to training in the near future.

If the scan rules out significant damage, he could have an opportunity to recover and build towards the international fixtures. If further treatment and rehabilitation are required, England may need to plan without him, depending on the timeframe.

For the player himself, the priority will be returning to full fitness rather than focusing solely on the November schedule. His recent injury history makes a careful approach particularly important, even if the latest problem proves relatively minor.

England supporters will hope the scan brings positive news. Feyi-Waboso’s pace and finishing ability offer a different dimension to the team’s attack, and his performances during the summer showed why he remains an important part of the wider international picture.

For Exeter, the 34-28 victory over Newcastle was a valuable result, but the winger’s fitness has become the immediate talking point. The medical assessment will determine whether this is a brief interruption or another frustrating spell on the sidelines.

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