Feyi-Waboso returns from facial injury to start Premiership Final against Northampton

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is fit to start the Gallagher Premiership Final at Twickenham after Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter confirmed the England winger has recovered from the facial injury — requiring surgery — he sustained against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road last month.

Feyi-Waboso will line up on the wing alongside Campbell Ridl, with Paul Brown-Bampoe paying the price for the returning star’s fitness. Brown-Bampoe, who started Exeter’s 27-26 semi-final victory over reigning champions Bath, has been left out of the matchday 23 altogether.

In the back row, Ethan Roots has been named after completing his return-to-play protocol following a head knock suffered against Saracens in the final round of the regular season. His inclusion comes at the expense of Christ Tshiunza, who is set to join Sale Sharks at the end of the campaign.

Baxter acknowledged that Exeter’s experienced internationals will need to set the tone for teammates facing a final for the first time. “When you start to go through the team, you’ve got quite a few guys who’ve experienced big games internationally and club-wise now in these types of environments,” he said. “I think that’s going to be important. We’re going to need those guys to step up.”

The Exeter head coach also identified Northampton’s ability with quick ball as the primary threat his side must neutralise. “Every team is dangerous with quick ball, and Northampton are probably the most dangerous,” Baxter said. “We’ve got to fight in all areas, we can’t give up the ball too much because the way you nullify their attack is by them not having the ball.”

Baxter pointed to a shift in mentality during pre-season as the foundation for Exeter’s run to the final. “The crucial, most important thing in our DNA that we had to rediscover was that competitiveness that if you can’t win, you draw,” he said. “I think the boys bought into that very early in pre-season, and I think that’s been one of those key areas that, having learned it, allowed us to get to the scenario that we did at Bath last weekend. This is going to be a tough game, but the lads are aligned in their purpose. That makes you stronger as a group.”