Borthwick's Enthusiasm for Feyi-Waboso's Return

England coach Steve Borthwick has expressed his excitement over Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's return to the rugby field after a six-month absence due to injury. The 22-year-old Exeter wing is set to start against a France XV at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium this Saturday.

Overcoming Injuries

Feyi-Waboso's journey back to the pitch has been fraught with challenges. He dislocated his shoulder during a match against Sale in December and faced further setbacks during an international training camp, which ultimately led to surgery. Despite these hurdles, Borthwick has been impressed with Feyi-Waboso's resilience and enthusiasm during his recovery.

Training Challenges

"Last week, when he was still coming to those very last elements of return to play, trying to keep himself out of certain things and to stop him throwing himself in, was quite a job," Borthwick told BBC 5 Live. "I have had to almost man mark him myself in training! He has been full of enthusiasm, full of energy."

Looking Ahead

Borthwick believes that every England supporter will be eager to see Feyi-Waboso back in action. The young player had a stellar 2024, scoring five tries in his previous eight England appearances and earning a nomination for World Rugby's Breakthrough of the Year award. His return is seen as a significant boost for the team as they prepare for upcoming international fixtures.

England Line-Up

In other team news, Bath flankers Ted Hill and Guy Pepper are set to start after their key roles in last weekend's Premiership final victory over Leicester. Saracens' Tom Willis will be positioned at number eight. Sale's Joe Carpenter and Gloucester's Seb Atkinson are also in the line-up, though they will have to wait for their first caps as the match against the second-string French outfit is not classified as a Test.

Leadership and Strategy

Fly-half George Ford and hooker Jamie George will co-captain the side, while Northampton's Alex Coles earns a spot in the second row. The Harlequins forward trio of Chandler Cunningham-South, Jack Kenningham, and Alex Dombrandt are on the bench, alongside Sale scrum-half Raffi Quirke. Borthwick revealed that Dombrandt has been training in the centres and will cover midfield as well as the back row.

Upcoming Tours

England is currently without their 13 Lions tourists, who are preparing for a warm-up against Argentina and the tour of Australia. The match against France XV serves as a warm-up for England's summer tours, which include a two-Test series against Argentina and a one-off match in Washington DC against the United States.

France XV Squad

On the French side, Gael Fickou, Nolann Le Garrec, Cameron Woki, and Theo Attissogbe are among the 28 players named in the squad for the match. Coach Fabien Galthie is without several stars due to the Top 14 semi-finals featuring Toulouse, Bordeaux-Begles, Toulon, and Bayonne.

Conclusion

As both teams gear up for their respective summer tours, the match at Twickenham promises to be an exciting preview of the talent and strategies that will be on display in the coming months. Fans and supporters alike are eagerly anticipating the return of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and the potential he brings to the England squad.