Immanuel Feyi-Waboso picked for England tour despite two-match ban
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been included in England's squad for the summer tour of Argentina and the US despite a suspension that rules him out of two of the three fixtures.
Feyi-Waboso was sent off after 33 minutes of his first appearance in six months during an England XV's 26-24 defeat by France at Twickenham on Saturday. He endured a torrid comeback, twice dropping the ball before he was sent to the sin-bin for his clothesline tackle on the French fly-half Antoine Hastoy – his yellow card subsequently upgraded to red.
On Sunday, Feyi-Waboso was handed a three-match ban, which will be reduced to two provided he completes 'tackle school'. As a result, the 22-year-old wing misses the two Tests against Argentina next month but is available to face USA in Washington.
If his inclusion in the 36-man squad – co-captained by Jamie George and George Ford – is a surprise, it demonstrates just how important a player Steve Borthwick considers Feyi-Waboso. Before last Saturday, he had not played since December because of a shoulder injury after his return was delayed amid confusion as to whether he would undergo surgery.
It is understood, however, that Borthwick sees value in having Feyi-Waboso with the squad in Argentina with an eye on the future as well as to provide competition to the other wings in training with Will Muir, Cadan Murley and Tom Roebuck selected. Feyi-Waboso's inclusion means he will stay fresh should the British & Irish Lions come calling but, as things stand, his ban does not expire until after Andy Farrell's side have played their first Test against Australia.
Feyi-Waboso was handed an enhanced contract by the Rugby Football Union last October and is sure to be on the list that Borthwick names after the summer tour. That England do not have their usual week's training camp before their autumn Tests may also explain why the head coach believes Feyi-Waboso warrants a place in the summer squad.
Forwards (20): F Baxter (Harlequins), A Clark (Gloucester), A Coles (Northampton), C Cunningham-South (Harlequins), B Curry (Sale), T Dan (Saracens), T Davison (Northampton), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), C Ewels (Bath), J George (Saracens, co-capt), J Heyes (Leicester), T Hill (Bath), N Isiekwe (Saracens), E Iyogun (Northampton) C Langdon (Northampton), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), G Pepper (Bath), B Rodd (Sale), S Underhill (Bath), T Willis (Saracens).
Backs (16): C Atkinson (Gloucester), S Atkinson (Gloucester), O Beard (Harlequins), J Carpenter (Sale), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), G Ford (Sale, co-capt), W Muir (Bath), C Murley (Harlequins), L Northmore (Harlequins), M Ojomoh (Bath), H Randall (Bristol), T Roebuck (Sale), H Slade (Exeter), B Spencer (Bath), F Steward (Leicester), J van Poortvliet (Leicester).
Elsewhere, Borthwick has made two changes to the squad that was announced last Monday to prepare for the fixture last weekend. Ben Curry comes in for Jack Kenningham while Raffi Quirke is replaced by Harry Randall. Both Curry and Randall were with the squad for rehabilitation last week but have been deemed fit to make the touring party. George Furbank and Fraser Dingwall were also rehabbing last week but have not been considered for selection.
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In total, Borthwick has selected 10 uncapped players with Muir joined by Bath teammates Max Ojomoh and Guy Pepper. The Gloucester trio of Seb Atkinson, Charlie Atkinson and Arthur Clark are also selected along with Oscar Beard, Joe Carpenter, Luke Northmore and Emmanuel Iyogun.
'The three-Test series is a huge challenge and a valuable opportunity for the continued development of this squad,' Borthwick said. 'For some of the younger players, this will be their first experience of touring overseas with England. Travelling together helps strengthen team bonds and offers a valuable chance for new players to integrate into our environment.'
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