Former England and British and Irish Lions winger Anthony Watson has expressed strong support for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso as a potential world-class player, provided he can maintain full fitness. The England star is set to start on the wing for the national team’s upcoming tour opener against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, following a series of injuries that have limited his international appearances.
Since making his England debut in 2024, Feyi-Waboso has faced recurrent setbacks, including shoulder injuries, concussions, and hamstring problems, restricting him to just 13 caps. Most recently, he recovered successfully from a broken jaw sustained in the Premiership final while playing for Exeter Chiefs. Watson highlighted Feyi-Waboso’s unique athletic attributes, describing him as "unlike anything we’ve seen" in the position in recent years.
“Manny has everything you'd want athletically from a winger,” Watson said, emphasizing the player's size, jumping ability, and physicality. Watson compared Feyi-Waboso to former England great Jason Robinson and Fiji’s Rupeni Caucaunibuca, noting that while Feyi-Waboso may not match Robinson’s agility, he compensates with powerful running and strong defensive work, a rare combination for a winger.
“He’s got a bit of Caucaunibuca in him in the way that once he gets going, there’s just no stopping him, whether it’s running around or through opponents,” Watson added. He also praised Feyi-Waboso’s defensive contributions, observing that dominant tackles from wingers are uncommon at the international level.
Watson suggested that with consistent playing time, Feyi-Waboso could reach the top tier of global wingers. “He can be the best winger in the world and I don’t think he’s a million miles off. It’s just been unfortunate with the stop-start nature of his injuries,” he said. Watson emphasized the importance of giving the player opportunities to demonstrate his full potential on the international stage.
Ahead of the South Africa match, England head coach Steve Borthwick is expected to confirm whether Tommy Freeman will start on the opposite wing or continue to be trialed in the midfield. Watson expressed his view that both Freeman and Feyi-Waboso should be deployed on the wings for the tough encounter in Johannesburg, stating that the team should field its strongest backline for the challenge.
“Tommy has the capability to play at outside centre, but against South Africa in Johannesburg, you want your best possible team on the pitch. That means Tommy and Manny playing on the wings,” Watson said. The selection decision will be announced when England reveals its starting lineup on Thursday.