The future for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the meteoric new star of English rugby, could be as glittering next month as it is filled with gravitas in the years ahead. England’s summer tour of Japan and New Zealand will surely include the 21-year-old Exeter Chiefs wing, who won his first four caps during the Six Nations. His opening three appearances came from the bench, and featured a try against Scotland, but his starting debut, as England ruined Ireland’s grand slam ambitions, provided the most substantial evidence of his composure and talent.
He offers engaging company but is also different to most modern rugby players. After admitting it would be “the stuff of dreams” to play against the All Blacks, and perhaps score a try in Dunedin or Auckland, the medical student moves on to a weighty subject. He is certainly the first sportsman I’ve interviewed who might specialise in plastic surgery to help burns victims or patients born with a cleft palate.
