The short version
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is ruled out for the remainder of the Nations Championship after sustaining an ankle injury during England's win over Australia.
- Several other key players, including Tom Curry and George Furbank, will miss the upcoming match against Japan due to various injuries.
- England faces a critical test of squad depth as it prepares for a decisive encounter with New Zealand later in November.
England’s rugby union team has encountered a significant setback following their comprehensive victory over Australia, as multiple key players have been ruled out of upcoming fixtures. The news dampens the momentum generated by a dominant performance that saw England defeat the Wallabies 45-22 in a match widely regarded as their best display of the year under head coach Steve Borthwick.
The most prominent casualty is wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the Nations Championship. The 23-year-old sustained an ankle injury during the first half of the match against Australia. The incident occurred in the 32nd minute when he was tackled by Australian prop Angus Bell in a move described as a hip-drop, which resulted in a yellow card for the Wallabies player.
Feyi-Waboso has emerged as a critical talent for England since bursting onto the international scene earlier in 2024. However, his availability has been consistently compromised by physical setbacks. He previously missed the 2025 Six Nations tournament following shoulder surgery and was absent from this year’s edition due to a hamstring issue. Despite recovering from a club-level hamstring problem to start against Australia, his latest injury marks another interruption to his development.
Beyond Feyi-Waboso, England faces a broader depletion of its squad for the upcoming match against Japan on Saturday. Experienced flanker Tom Curry will not feature this autumn after reporting discomfort in his hip. Additionally, forward Ollie Chessum is sidelined with a shoulder injury, while full-back George Furbank and center Seb Atkinson are also ruled out due to groin and hip issues, respectively.
The absence of these players forces immediate tactical adjustments for Borthwick. With Furbank unavailable, England must look elsewhere at full-back despite his strong performance in his first appearance in two years. Similarly, the loss of Atkinson necessitates a new combination in the center positions, with Fraser Dingwall or Max Ojomoh likely to step into the inside-center role.
To address these gaps, several uncapped and lesser-used players have been called into the 36-man squad. Newcastle flanker Max Hicks and Harlequins’ Jack Kenningham have been added, alongside scrum-half Archie McParland, center Max Ojomoh, and wings Noah Calouri and Tobias Elliott. Henry Pollock, typically a back-row player, replaced Feyi-Waboso on the wing during the Australia match after halftime.
The timing of these injuries presents a strategic challenge as England prepares for its next opponent, Japan, at Twickenham. While the team demonstrated significant improvement and control against Australia, the loss of experienced personnel raises questions about depth and resilience. The coaching staff must now integrate new combinations quickly to maintain performance levels.
Looking ahead, the focus shifts to the final group stage match against New Zealand on November 21 at Allianz Stadium. It is hoped that Atkinson, Furbank, and Chessum will recover in time for this crucial encounter, which could determine England’s standing before the finals weekend from November 27 to 29. The ability to manage injuries and maintain competitive intensity will be tested as the tournament reaches its climax.
The contrast between the team’s on-field success and off-field misfortune highlights the fragility of elite sports performance. While the victory over Australia validated Borthwick’s approach and eased pressure on his tenure, the injury list threatens to undermine that progress. England must now rely on squad rotation and tactical flexibility to navigate the remainder of the championship.
As the tournament progresses, the narrative will likely shift from individual brilliance to collective endurance. The upcoming matches against Japan and New Zealand will serve as indicators of whether England can sustain its high level of play despite significant personnel losses. The finals weekend remains the ultimate objective, but the path there is now fraught with uncertainty.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗England wing Feyi-Waboso out of Nations Championship
