Sinfield stresses Exeter collaboration after Feyi-Waboso ankle injury

England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield has emphasised the need to work closely with Exeter after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was ruled out for the rest of the autumn with an ankle injury. According to BBC Sport, the wing was hurt during Sunday's 45-22 victory over Australia, adding another interruption to an international career that has produced nine tries in 17 appearances.

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Feyi-Waboso sustained the injury in the 32nd minute but remained on the field until half-time, when he was replaced. Sinfield said the player's wish to continue had influenced the decision to leave him on. He explained that coaches had to balance what they could observe on the pitch with what a player was telling them, without access to an immediate scan.

The latest setback follows two disrupted Six Nations campaigns. A shoulder injury kept Feyi-Waboso out of the 2025 competition, while a hamstring problem suffered in training before England's opening win over Wales ended his 2026 tournament. He returned during the summer and scored in victories over Fiji and Argentina before suffering the ankle injury against the Wallabies.

Sinfield compared the wing's explosive qualities to those of former England international Jason Robinson, whom he faced during their rugby league careers. He said runs of injuries could affect players with that combination of power and explosiveness. His emphasis was on getting Feyi-Waboso fit again through cooperation between the national team and his club, given the amount of rugby players undertake.

BBC Sport reported that England have the final say on fitness and conditioning for centrally contracted players such as Feyi-Waboso. There have previously been disagreements with Exeter over his treatment, although relations have improved. England approved his return for June's Premiership final just three weeks after he sustained a facial fracture.

Saracens wing Noah Caluori, 20, has been called up as Feyi-Waboso's replacement after scoring a try on his England debut against Fiji in July. England's absences extend beyond the wing: Tom Curry is also out for the entire autumn after aggravating a longstanding hip issue. Ollie Chessum, George Furbank and Seb Atkinson will miss Saturday's match against Japan.