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Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (born 20 December 2002) is a Welsh-born English professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for Premiership Rugby club Exeter Chiefs and England.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in February 2024
Date of birth (2002-12-20) 20 December 2002 (age 21)
Place of birthCardiff, Wales
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Weight89 kg (196 lb; 14 st 0 lb)[2]
SchoolClifton College Corpus Christi, Cardiff
UniversityAston University
University of Exeter
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Centre
Current team Exeter Chiefs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021 Cardiff 1 (0)
2022 Wasps 2 (0)
2022– Exeter Chiefs 30 (90)
Correct as of 27 October 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024– England 7 (25)
Correct as of 9 November 2024

Early life and education

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Feyi-Waboso was is one of six siblings, born to parents with Nigerian heritage. He grew up in Llandaff, Wales.[3]

After school at Clifton College, he initially studied at Aston University, then moved to study medicine at Exeter University.

Club career

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Feyi-Waboso began playing with Rumney RFC, and played for Cardiff Schools at U-11 and U-15 level.[4]

Feyi-Waboso signed for the Cardiff Blues academy ahead of the 2020–21 season.[5] He made his Cardiff Blues debut in Round 1 of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup against Ospreys.[6] Feyi-Waboso left Cardiff after failing to secure a place in the medical programme at Cardiff University despite strong grades.[7] He instead took a place at Aston University.[7]

On 14 February 2022, Wasps announced the signing of the centre, from the 2022–2023 season onwards.[8] Following Wasps's expulsion from the league due to their administration, Feyi-Waboso was signed by Exeter Chiefs.[9] He made his debut that same month in the Premiership Cup against Bath before making his Premiership debut for the club against London Irish.[10][11]

In May 2024, having scored 10 tries throughout the league season, he won Breakthrough Player of the Season.[12]

International career

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Feyi-Waboso represented Wales at U18 and voiced his dream to play for Wales at international level in an article in 2023.

He represents England at international level. He qualified on ancestry grounds. His father is half Nigerian and half English, and his paternal grandmother is from Gloucester.[13]

He received his first call-up to the senior England squad on 17 January 2024 for the 2024 Six Nations Championship.[14] He made his debut on 3 February 2024, in a 27–24 win against Italy in the first round of the Six Nations.[15] He scored his first international try in his third international appearance in a 30-21 loss against Scotland on 24 February 2024 whilst coming off the bench.[16] He made his first start in the match against Ireland on 9 March 2024. In November 2024, he made his autumn nations series debut scoring a try against New Zealand in a narrow 24-22 defeat at Twickenham. This accomplishment meant he had the unfortunate record of having scored three tries, three games in a row against New Zealand and losing all three games.[17][18]

International tries

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As of 3 November 2024
Try Opposing team Venue Competition Date Result
1   Scotland Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh 2024 Six Nations 24 February 2024 21 - 30
2   New Zealand Twickenham Stadium, London 2024 end-of-year rugby union internationals 2 November 2024 22 - 24

Personal life

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Born to Nigerian parents in Llandaff, Wales, Feyi-Waboso attended Corpus Christi High school. Apart from rugby, he also showed a talent for hurdles and high jump.

Since 2022, alongside playing for Exeter Chiefs and England, Feyi-Waboso is also studying a medical degree at the University of Exeter.[19] During the 2024 Six Nations, he missed a three day training camp with England to complete a face-to-face exam as part of his studies.[20]

References

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  1. ^ "Immanuel Feyi-Waboso".
  2. ^ "Immanuel Feyi-Waboso".
  3. ^ "Exeter Chiefs Player List". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk.
  4. ^ Thomas, Simon (15 February 2022). "'Special future Wales international' Feyi-Waboso lost to English Premiership". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Cardiff Blues 2020–21 squad confirmed". Cardiff Blues. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Pro14 Rainbow Cup: Ospreys 36-14 Cardiff Blues". BBC Sport. 24 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b Thomas, Simon (8 October 2021). "Fears 'special' future Wales international will be lost to England". WalesOnline. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Joins Wasps Academy Ahead Of 2022-23 Season". Wasps RFC. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Chiefs sign young trio from Wasps". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Chiefs 25 Bath 22". Exeter Chiefs. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Premiership: London Irish 17-14 Exeter Chiefs - Exiles hang on to seal fifth spot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Premiership Rugby Awards: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso wins Breakthrough Player of the Season". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  13. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68503857#:~:text=Feyi%2DWaboso%20is%20eligible%20to,paternal%20grandmother%20is%20from%20Gloucester.
  14. ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Immanuel Feyi-Waboso set for long England career, says Steve Borthwick: 'He's ready'". London Evening Standard. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Scotland beat England in Six Nations for fourth time in row - reaction". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  17. ^ Henson, Mike. "All Blacks edge out England in dramatic finale". BBC. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  18. ^ Coombe, Louis. "Rating every England player from the All Blacks series, as 'brilliant' full-back and star half-back take their chance". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  19. ^ Baldock, Andrew. "Exeter will leave 'gifted' Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to decide own international path". The Independent. The Independent. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  20. ^ Jones, Chris. "Six Nations 2024: England's Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to miss training camp to sit exam". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
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