Feyi-Waboso scan offers England hope as Exeter lose winger for Toulouse

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is expected to be available for England's Nations Championship matches in November after an encouraging assessment of his hamstring injury, BBC Sport reported. The Exeter winger will nevertheless miss Sunday's European Champions Cup match at Toulouse, with his recovery still being monitored rather than a return date confirmed.

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The 23-year-old went off 15 minutes into the second half of Exeter's 34-28 league victory over Newcastle on Sunday. He had started each of the Chiefs' league matches this season and scored two tries in three appearances. The setback follows a hamstring injury in January that kept him out of this year's Six Nations.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told the BBC that feedback from the club's physiotherapists did not suggest a long-term problem. Although Feyi-Waboso still had some discomfort, Baxter said the scan showed little and his physical testing was encouraging. The club hopes to manage his symptoms and assess how he progresses over the next week or so.

England also has a direct role in the process. As Feyi-Waboso is centrally contracted, the national team has the final say over his treatment, and an England physiotherapist has assessed him. Steve Borthwick's side begins its remaining three Nations Championship fixtures against Australia at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on 8 November. Feyi-Waboso featured in all three summer matches in the competition, scoring against Fiji and Argentina.

Baxter acknowledged that the timing matters to both club and country: Exeter wants the winger available for important club fixtures, while England wants him fit for the autumn. He expressed hope that decisions could be guided by the player's physical function and how he feels, without a dispute between the two teams over his recovery.

His absence leaves Exeter without four first-choice wing options for Toulouse, with Campbell Ridl, Olly Woodburn and Paul Brown-Bampoe also injured. Tommy Wyatt started on the left against Newcastle, Ben Hammersley replaced Feyi-Waboso on the right, and Sam Harris made his first league start for Exeter at full-back. Baxter also identified Zack Wimbush and Nick Lilley as players previously used on the wing, giving the Chiefs alternatives despite the shortage.