England head coach Steve Borthwick has defended selecting winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso despite a ban that will rule him out of most of this summer’s tour to Argentina and the USA.
Exeter speedster Feyi-Waboso has been named in the 36-man England squad for the tour.
But a red card in last weekend’s non-cap match against France XV means he is now banned for both tests against Argentina.
He will be available for the one-off test with the USA on 19 July, however.
Feyi-Waboso was sent off for a high tackle on French fly-half Antoine Hastoy following a TMO review.
It was his first appearance in six months since dislocating his shoulder for Exeter in December.
Exeter publicly criticised what it viewed as the botched handling of Feyi-Waboso’s surgery, which the Devon side argued delayed his recovery.
But England boss Borthwick has defended his inclusion in the touring party despite the ban.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s 20-minute red card.
Won’t be touring Argentina anymore give that a ban will follow.#ENGvFRA
pic.twitter.com/iRk7umkSCt— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) June 21, 2025
Steve Borthwick Backs Feyi-Waboso Despite Ban
Speaking to Rugby Union Weekly, Borthwick explained the decision to include Feyi-Waboso.
He said: “I want players who have that X-factor in an England shirt.
“I want players who want the ball in their hands and will get the crowd on their feet.”
“Manny has worked hard to get back from injury and looks in great condition,” added Borthwick.
“He missed the whole of the Six Nations, and unfortunately now he has been suspended, but I still feel this is an opportunity to work with him for those couple of weeks.”
The other wingers included in the squad are Bath’s Will Muir, Sale’s Tom Roebuck and Harlequins’ Cadan Murley.
England Fans Confused By Feyi-Waboso Selection After Ban
But plenty of fans are furious that other options have been left at home.
The likes of Leicester pair Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins have both been left at home.
How. On Earth. Is someone who literally can't play two thirds of the games STILL ahead of OHC and Radders?!?! https://t.co/36RPCC2O7h
— Matt Gillard (@MattGillard98) June 23, 2025
And the confusion with selection was a sentiment shared by many.
Another fan on X (formerly Twitter) said: “Just seen Manny [Feyi-Waboso] is in the squad too. Why?!
“Taking him just for a potential run out, in place of another winger, against USA seems utterly, utterly wasteful.”
A third added: “Absolutely bonkers taking a player [IFW] who is banned and can’t play in any of the test matches against Argentina!
“There are other good wingers who could go & play! Typical Borthwick.”
Ten Uncapped Players In New-Look England Squad
Elsewhere in the touring party, veteran duo Jamie George and George Ford will co-captain the side.
With thirteen first-choice players away with the British and Irish Lions squad, there’s a lot of opportunity for new faces.
Bath pair Max Ojomoh and Guy Pepper are both in line for their first caps.
Gloucester’s Charlie Atkinson is the only other specialist fly-half aside from Ford, so expect to see him make his test debut.
Ben Curry and Harry Randall have both shaken off injury worries to make the squad, but Northampton fullback George Furbank’s woes continue as he’s forced to stay at home with a calf problem.
Argentina beat the British and Irish Lions in Dublin last Friday, and are seeking a first ever series won against England.
Los Pumas have beaten South Africa, New Zealand, France and Australia in the last 12 months.
The USA have never beaten England in nine attempts, losing 43-29 most recently in 2021.
England Rugby Squad For Argentina & USA Tour
Forwards:
Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bath), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton), Curtis Langdon (Northampton), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Guy Pepper (Bath), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Sam Underhill (Bath), Tom Willis (Saracens)
Backs:
Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester), Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Joe Carpenter (Sale), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), George Ford (Sale), Will Muir (Bath), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Spencer (Bath), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester)
