England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will miss the rest of the autumn campaign with an ankle injury sustained in Sunday’s win over Australia, while full-back George Furbank will sit out the Japan match with a groin problem, The Guardian reports.

The injuries immediately disrupt a back-three combination that England coach Steve Borthwick had been able to field together for the first time in two years. Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman and Furbank started in the No. 11, 14 and 15 shirts respectively.

According to Gerard Meagher’s reporting for The Guardian, Borthwick is also considering resting players against Japan on Saturday, meaning Freeman could miss that fixture too. England could therefore field an entirely different back three.

Feyi-Waboso made 130 metres from eight carries during his 40 minutes against Australia. His latest injury follows hamstring and shoulder problems that have interrupted his international career since his debut in early 2024. He has yet to make more than five consecutive starts for England.

Furbank’s appearance against the Wallabies was his first for England since the autumn victory over Japan in 2024. He helped create Jack van Poortvliet’s try, but his availability for the forthcoming New Zealand match remains uncertain.

The performance offered Borthwick evidence of the trio’s attacking potential ahead of next year’s World Cup. Keeping them available together remains the immediate challenge.

Sources