A teenager tipped as a future Wales international has joined an English Premiership club after having to head across the bridge for his education.
Talented three-quarter Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will join Wasps from Cardiff Rugby at the end of this season, having signed a long-term contract with the Coventry-based outfit.
The 18-year-old had been hoping to study medicine at Cardiff University and continue his progress at the Arms Park, having made his senior regional debut last April.
But he failed to secure a place, despite achieving the three A* grades he required at Clifton College in Bristol, having been on the reserve list.
Read more: The latest Six Nations headlines are here
The Wales U18s outside centre, who also plays on the wing, ended up taking a place studying medicine at Aston University in Birmingham instead.
Cardiff made efforts to try and keep him on board, with Academy manager Gruff Rees hailing him as “something pretty special” and a potential future Welsh international.
But they were concerned he could be snapped up by an English club following his move across the bridge and now those fears have been confirmed.
From this summer, Feyi-Waboso will link up with the Wasps Senior Academy.
They are clearly delighted at having secured his services.
The club’s Head of Academy and Recruitment Kevin Harman said: “We are extremely pleased to have signed Immanuel on a long-term contract.
“He is an exceptional athlete, with lots of potential, which we are all hoping will turn into first team performances in the not-so-distant future.”
As for Feyi-Waboso, he commented: “I’m really glad to have signed a contract with Wasps.
“The coaching staff and players are world class and I hope they can elevate me to their level.
“I have loved being around their quality facilities and I am excited to be a part of the elite setup.
“I can’t wait to see what the future holds in Black and Gold.”
What needs to be done to make Welsh rugby work? Have your say
You can also take the survey here
Feyi-Waboso grew up in Llandaff and started out his rugby journey with Rumney RFC, progressing through Cardiff Schools and the Cardiff Blues age-grade sides.
The former Corpus Christi and Clifton College pupil was also heavily into athletics, specialising in hurdles and high jump.
Having signed a senior regional contract with Cardiff Blues last year, he made his debut, aged just 17, as a replacement winger against the Ospreys in the Rainbow Cup in April 2021.
He then went on to figure in the pre-season game versus Harlequins last September, before heading off to Aston.
Giving his thoughts, Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young said: "If we could have got him into Cardiff University, his rugby could have run alongside his studies.
“That was never possible when he moved to Aston, which is the other side of Birmingham.
“It was inevitable he couldn’t take up the opportunities with us, which is hugely disappointing because we are confident this a kid that could do well in rugby.
“But, unfortunately, circumstances didn’t help him or us really.”
Young added: “We would never criticise somebody for wanting to continue their studies because there’s life after rugby.
“We were just hugely disappointed that he couldn’t get into Cardiff.
“He is not on a year’s course at Aston, he’s there for a long time.”
Speaking about the teenager in the autumn, Academy manager Gruff Rees said: “He is big and quick and there’s not many of them around.
“There was such raw potential there and he’s developed a good skill set over the last couple of years, understanding the game more.
“For me, he is a long-term 13. He can make an outside break and hit a good line, but also in defence he has got a huge wing-span and shuts things down.
“He’s just an imposing player around the contact area.
“He made his senior debut against the Ospreys back in April, which was a hell of a leap of faith by Dai (Young).
“He did a full pre-season with us and figured against Harlequins.
“We were hoping to get that continuity on results day that he could get across to Cardiff Medical School.
“He got the grades, but unfortunately he didn’t secure a place through admissions.
“He was on the reserve list and he got his three A*s, but because of the climate and the demand for the Medical School he still missed out.
“It’s forced Immanuel’s hand and he’s had to take a place up in Aston University.
“The worry I have now is he could be lost to England.
“Clearly there’s a concern he could be picked up by the likes of Leicester or Wasps.”
That concern has now become a reality.
To get To get the latest rugby news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox, you can sign up for our Welsh rugby newsletter.
