Baxter flags 'concerning' injury record as Feyi-Waboso faces ankle scan

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has described Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s injury record as “pretty concerning” after the England winger picked up an ankle injury during Sunday’s 45-22 Nations Championship win over Australia, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament.

Feyi-Waboso was hurt in the first half following a knee-drop tackle by Angus Bell and was seen in a boot after the final whistle. Baxter confirmed the 23-year-old was receiving treatment at the club on Thursday morning ahead of a specialist consultation that afternoon, which he said would provide a clearer picture of the scan results.

“I think the balance of opinion at the moment, both from ourselves and England, is that he’s unlikely to require an operation, but I don’t want to confirm that until post tomorrow’s consultations,” Baxter said. “If it’s a decent high ankle sprain, you’re talking a minimum of four to six weeks, but it’s just so difficult to know.”

Baxter was careful not to set firm expectations, noting that Feyi-Waboso’s recovery could move quickly or take considerably longer depending on Thursday’s findings. “The difference between the two is a considerable amount of time,” he added.

The injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for a player who has scored nine tries in 17 England appearances but has repeatedly been sidelined at crucial moments. Feyi-Waboso missed the entire 2025 Six Nations with a shoulder injury, and the year before that he was ruled out of the tournament after picking up a hamstring problem in training ahead of the opening match against Wales.

Baxter drew a parallel with England and Lions winger Jack Nowell, who experienced similar injury clusters during his time at Exeter before enjoying greater availability at La Rochelle. He attributed the pattern to the physical demands of the style both players employ.

“It’s quite frustrating because you are seeing him over at La Rochelle, and he has had a really high availability,” Baxter said of Nowell. “But sometimes the way these guys play — they are guys who break tackles and come out the other side — they’re always at risk with lower limb injuries. They end up twisting and exerting pressure and power at awkward times.”

Feyi-Waboso has scored two tries in five appearances this season. England’s medical staff have already confirmed he will play no further part in the Nations Championship.