Feyi-Waboso could be star at World Cup - Baxter

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returned to action for the first time this season in a friendly win at Cardiff on Saturday [Shutterstock] Immanuel Feyi-Waboso could be one of England's stars at next summer's World Cup if he can keep fit this season, says Exeter boss Rob Baxter. The 23-year-old winger helped the Chiefs reach last season's Prem final but he missed the Six Nations after suffering a hamstring injury in early February. Feyi-Waboso also missed the final game of the Prem season and Exeter's play-off semi-final win at Bath after fracturing his jaw at Leicester at the end of May, although he returned to feature for Exeter at Twickenham and for England in their Nations Championship matches. "I think if he can really put a run of games together he could be quite a force come World Cup time because he is an exceptional player," Baxter said. "There are areas of his game where game time without doubt improves some of those elements. "If he can put a good run together I think it'd be quite exciting what England might see from him both in the autumn and in the World Cup later in the year." Feyi-Waboso risked England place for Exeter return Feyi-Waboso played 28 games for club and country last season, the most since he burst onto the scene in the 2023-24 campaign. His 2024-25 season was blighted by a shoulder injury he suffered just before Christmas which kept him out until the summer of 2025. But he returned last season to score 13 tries in all competitions as Exeter made the Prem play-offs for the first time since 2021 and reached the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup. He returned to the Chiefs line-up after his summer break in their friendly win at Cardiff last week as he scored his side's final try in a 33-28 victory. "I think just a good consistent season for him would do him the world of good, because that's what he really needs to do, he needs to play, and the more he plays, the better he gets," added Baxter. "That gives him real match fitness and real match sharpness. "I thought he was pretty good against Cardiff, he came up with those good moments that he always does and he's got fantastic pace and ability to beat people. "We're obviously looking forward to him playing again this week with more game time under his belt because he certainly improves with game time."