Immanuel Feyi-Waboso can 'be the best winger in the world' says ex-Lions star

Anthony Watson is backing “uniquely freakish” England star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to become the best wing in the world – if he can avoid any more injuries.

Feyi-Waboso is poised to start England’s July tour opener against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, putting behind him the run of shoulder, concussion and hamstring issues that have limited him to 13 caps since making his debut in 2024.

Now restored to full fitness after making a successful comeback from a broken jaw in the Prem final for Exeter, Watson believes one of his successors in the number 14 could soon become world class.

“Manny is unlike anything we’ve seen from an athletic standpoint for a number of years,” former England and British and Irish Lions finisher Watson told the Press Association.

“Everything that you’d want athletically from a winger, he’s got. People want to talk about his size, but then they see him get up in the air and then it’s like, well, you don’t need to be tall if you jump like he can.”

Referencing England great Jason Robinson and Fiji flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Watson continued: “He’s got a lot of characteristics of other wings, but he’s uniquely freakish.

“He’s probably not as agile as Jason was, but then Jason didn’t have the same ability to run over people like Manny does.

“He’s got a bit of Rupeni Caucaunibuca in him in terms of the way that when he’s going, there’s just no stopping him, whether it’s around you, through you, whatever.

“Then defensively he bangs people. It’s quite rare in the wing position to have someone who actually puts dominant tackles in.

“He makes things happen, which in international rugby is extremely difficult, and those guys are worth their weight in gold.

“He can be the best winger in the world and I don’t think he’s a million miles off at the moment. He’s just been unlucky recently with that stop-start nature of the injuries that he’s had.

“With sustained opportunities to play and show what he can do in international rugby, he can definitely be the best winger.”

With Feyi-Waboso starting on one wing, head coach Steve Borthwick will reveal on Thursday if Tommy Freeman will be selected on the other or continue to be trialled in midfield.

“Tommy’s got the capabilities to play at outside centre, there’s no question about that, but against South Africa in Johannesburg, you get your best possible team on the pitch,” Watson said. “That means Tommy and Manny playing on the wings.”

Watson was speaking at a Team England fundraiser for Lewis Moody, the former red rose captain who is now a campaigner for Motor Neurone Disease after he was diagnosed with the life-shortening neurological condition in 2025.

“It’s important for us to show support and love for someone who has been there, done it and who is going through some tough times,” Watson said. “And despite it all, he’s still doing it with a smile on his face and in the typical Lewis fashion.”