Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: ‘The Lions is every rugby player’s dream – it would be unbelievable’ | Rugby union
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TThe future of Immanuel Fahey-Waboso, England rugby’s meteoric new star, could be as bright next month as it is fraught with gravitas in the coming years. England’s summer tour of Japan and New Zealand is sure to feature the 21-year-old Exeter Chiefs winger, who won his first four caps during the Six Nations. His first three appearances came from the bench and included a try against Scotland, but his starting debut, as England ruined Ireland’s Grand Slam ambitionsprovided the strongest evidence of his calmness and talent.
He offers attractive company but is also unlike most modern rugby players. After admitting it would be a “dream thing” to play against the All Blacks and perhaps score a try in Dunedin or Auckland, the medical student moves on to an important topic. He’s certainly the first athlete I’ve interviewed who can specialize in plastic surgery to help burn victims or patients born with cleft palates.
These contrasting perspectives, spanning rugby and surgery, belong to the same realm of possibility that has transformed Feyi-Waboso’s life over the past nine months. Just a year ago he had just finished his loan spell at Taunton Titans, who finished second from bottom in National League One that season. Now, after 23 games for Exeter and his breakthrough in the Six Nations, Feyi-Waboso has been hailed as the charismatic fresh face of English rugby.
He smiles when I ask him how he is feeling after such a stormy spell when Exeter play their final home game of the regular season against Harlequins at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon. “It’s been the toughest season so far, physically, but I’m getting more comfortable playing 80 minutes,” he says. “So I still feel good.”
Before Friday night’s games, Exeter were seventh in the Premiership table, two places behind Queens, and even if they win this weekend and beat Leicester away next Saturday, they will still need other results to help them reach the top four. But Feyi-Waboso insist they can make the play-offs.
“Yes, obviously,” he exclaims. “We have a young group, but we never doubted ourselves. Some people think we have overachieved this season, but we still want to do a lot more. After beating Gloucester in our last game [with Feyi-Waboso scoring a try] we kept our hopes alive and hopefully after this weekend we will be in a stronger position.”
Harlequins lost to Toulouse in the semi-final of the Champions Cup last Sunday while Exeter had the break. “Maybe that will help us,” he suggests, “because it’s a shorter turnaround for them. But Harlequins can score from anywhere. If you turn off for a second, you will be penalized. It’s going to be another tough game and that’s what the boys and I love about this season. Every game counts and as a young team we are getting more experienced in these pressure situations.”
Feyi-Waboso is still a little wide-eyed about the step up to international rugby, where even the more intense pressure can feel suffocating. “It’s tough,” he admits, “and it can feel crazy because you’re playing with the best players. Even an opposition that is tight forward has the ability to punish a mistake.”
He appeared instantly at ease in the international environment, but inside was he struggling with nerves? “Definitely. It was crazy inside. On the bench in that first game with Italy, I was taking it all in and thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m here.’ But going out on the pitch, Sladey [Exeter teammate Henry Slade] was there. I play with Sladey every week so there is an element of comfort in that.
“The first thing that happened to me was a lineout where Italy were playing from their 22 and it was coming straight at me. I’m straight into the game and it’s been the best thing. But I had so many nerves in that game and against Wales and Scotland. It was surreal.
After England lost to Scotland they were subjected to harsh scrutiny before facing Ireland at home. “Everyone was writing us off and saying Ireland were the best team in the world. But I believed we just had to back up our ability as we have amazing players all over the place. There was energy in our group and we really enjoyed them.”
England beat Ireland 23-22 and played positive rugby that lifted the previously disheartened Twickenham crowd. Feyi-Waboso seemed to be the epitome of their rejuvenation and it turned out that he had been entertaining his more experienced teammates all week with his piano playing skills.
He looks embarrassed. “I think a lot of the guys were actually annoyed by it at the end. I was just playing pop songs on the piano. Nothing that great, really.
Such self-effacement is typical of Feyi-Waboso, and although it is almost certain for the England tour, he points out: “I have no idea if I will be selected. I hope I am. I talked to the coaches about what they thought I was doing well and what I needed to improve on. But there are plenty of great wings in England and your place is never certain. I’m just trying to work on the weaknesses and build on the strengths.”
Has he visited Japan or New Zealand? “No, but I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I’m not worried about travelling, but Japan is where I really want to go as a tourist as well as a rugby player.”
New Zealand holds a deeper meaning for Feyi-Waboso and he admits that for him the All Blacks once assumed an almost mythical status. “They definitely did. From the hack to their ability to just play through or around anyone, their skills, to all the big names, it just felt like the most awesome team. If I had to play against them, all of that would have to go in the bin. I need to see them as people again. So that would be an interesting fix.“
As for the idea of scoring a try against New Zealand, Feyi-Waboso shakes his head in wonder. “This is the stuff of dreams,” he says, before remembering to sound rooted in reality. “But first I have to be elected. If I’m in the team, I’d like to play against them, do well and score. Against a team like New Zealand you realize how good or bad you are.”
Another huge ambition lurks tantalizingly and he says: “I’d also like to play for the Lions [in Australia next year]. It’s every rugby player’s dream in the northern hemisphere. It would be amazing and amazing. But, again, there are so many good wings.”
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Feyi-Waboso is most impressive in his ability to balance professional rugby with his medical research. “It was definitely a challenge, especially in the early stages,” he says. “But if I was just focusing on rugby, I’d probably be on social media a lot more, so I’d be looking at commentary and back games, I’d just kill myself in a hole because the perfectionist in me would do that. But if I play good or bad, I have medicine. They work well together.”
As the critical time of the season approaches, Feyi-Waboso is also in the midst of exams and final assignments at Exeter University. “I have another exam next Thursday and my assignment is due right after that. My final exam is on the 10th of June and then I will also have to do the assignment I put off for the summer because I missed it during the Six Nations.
He laughs when I ask him which he prefers. “Definitely exams. I hate assignments. If I don’t make it through medical school, it’s probably because of these assignments. Exams are where I thrive. If you ask me questions, I’m much better at answering them than structuring and planning the whole thing. I’m not a fan of assignments.
Has he decided on his eventual major? “I’ve always liked the idea of plastic surgery in the sense of helping people who have suffered burns or cleft lips. The reward will be huge and it also requires a bit of artistic flair. If I ever get to work like this, I’ll definitely be able to look at what I’ve done and be proud of it. But in medical school, you don’t really know until you go to the wards.
Feyi-Waboso nods to the idea that working in this area of plastic surgery would mean he could help patients overcome psychological trauma as well as physical disability. “That’s it. That combination of psychological and physical is very important. The rewards would be amazing after seeing patients leave the hospital happy.”
Rugby and medicine often collide with a chilling impact in the amount of shocks that spoil the game. Feyi-Waboso brought concussion symptoms to the attention of England’s medical staff, who advised him to miss the match against France. “I’m definitely thinking about a concussion,” he says. “I’ve had a few and knowing I want to be a doctor, head trauma is obviously not good. I was upset not to play in France, but I’m quite young and I’ve had quite a few concussions so I don’t want to jeopardize my future.
“I don’t want to be a burden on England either. If I played with a concussion, my reaction time wouldn’t be the same. We all try to avoid concussions, but sometimes they are unavoidable in rugby. So it’s important to take care of yourself during the return-to-play protocol.”
Feyi-Waboso survived implosion of his former club, Wasps, and has since flourished at both Exeter University and Chiefs. When Wasps dropped out as a Premiership club in October 2022, Feyi-Waboso had played just two games for them. He stresses that the impact on him cannot be compared to that of a senior Wasps player.
“I was only 19 and I didn’t have any connections, while a lot of the guys had families, kids. Going down on wasps wasn’t easy for me, but I’d only been there for a year. I lived in an academic house with 16 people and when you live with 15 other guys you become very close. That was really sad, but two of them came with me. Greg Fisilau and Alfie Bell are now at Exeter. The first year I lived with them in the hotel and I will probably live with Greg next year.
Does he still see any of his Taunton teammates from his spell? “Some of their guys trained against us with the Navy team. And one of the lads from Taunton is dating my flatmate at university so I see him regularly and keep in touch with a few of them. It’s been a big transition, but they’re really happy for me.”
It is easy to share Feyi-Waboso’s delight in his extraordinary transition. But his future, both this summer and in the coming years, promises to be even more interesting in both rugby and medicine. He’s so busy that he just smiles and shakes his head when I ask if he’s booked a holiday after his exams and England tour: “I’ll plan a holiday when the time comes, but until then I’ll keep going.”
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