Double boost for Exeter ahead of season opener

Exeter Chiefs have received a massive boost ahead of their PREM Rugby opener after passing international stars Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Dafydd Jenkins fit for the trip to Northampton Saints on Sunday.

England flyer Feyi-Waboso, who is one of the players with an RFU Enhanced Elite Player Squad contract, hasn’t played in the PREM since injuring a shoulder against Sale Sharks before last Christmas.

He was sent off playing for England A v France A on his comeback and banned for two games. On his return from suspension, Feyti-Waboso played a full game in England’s 40-5 victory over USA in Washington D.C.

Feyi-Waboso picked up a minor injury in pre-season training, which had placed his involvement at Franklin’s Gardens in doubt, but he is now fully fit, according to Director of Rugby Rob Baxter.

Former Wales skipper lock Jenkins missed the summer tour of Japan because he had a date with the surgeon’s knife on a back injury, but is now back in full training and is available for selection.

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Gallagher Premiership

Northampton

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Meanwhile, Baxter reported that England star Henry Slade came through this return to action after a hand operation in the PREM Rugby Cup win over Bath last weekend without any problems.

“Manny is in full training, and he was in full training by the end of last week, but the problem was that there was a three-day England camp on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” Baxtyer revealed.

“In theory, he was fit the week before, but then he had an issue and went into camp with England and could only do some monitored training with them and was declared fit in time for the Bath game.

“But obviously, he only had one training run with us going into the Bath game. So he is fit and ready to go. Dafydd is on track and is ready to go as well.

“The difficulty these guys have had is that they have only had limited action throughout pre-season. Henry probably looked a little bit rusty, and he has not been back long from that broken hand on the England tour,” he added.