Sinfield likens injured Feyi-Waboso to England great Jason Robinson

England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield has compared injured wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to Jason Robinson, praising the 23-year-old’s pace and power as England prepare to face Japan without him on Saturday.

“He is our Jason Robinson,” Sinfield said. Feyi-Waboso has scored nine tries in 17 England appearances since his debut in 2024, but an ankle injury sustained against Australia on Sunday has ruled him out for the rest of the autumn campaign.

The Exeter player missed the 2025 Six Nations with a shoulder injury and this year’s tournament with a hamstring problem. He returned in the summer, scoring against Fiji and Argentina, before being hurt in England’s 45-22 win over Australia. He played on until half-time, then came off.

Sinfield said Feyi-Waboso’s wish to continue influenced the decision to keep him on the pitch. “You can’t scan anyone on the grass, so you’re looking at it with your eyes,” he said. “I think it’s only right for us, as coaches, that we listen to players.”

Robinson scored 28 tries in 51 England appearances between 2001 and 2007. He tore his hamstring in the 2007 Rugby World Cup final, his last Test match. Sinfield, who played against him in rugby league, said injuries can sometimes come in a run when a player is “that explosive and that powerful”.

He said co-operation between England and Feyi-Waboso’s club, Exeter, would be important in managing the wing’s fitness. England have final say over the conditioning of centrally contracted players, and the BBC reports there have been past disagreements with Exeter over his treatment. Relations have since improved, with England approving his return for the Premiership final in June, three weeks after he suffered a facial fracture.

England will also be without Ollie Chessum, George Furbank and Seb Atkinson against Japan. Tom Curry has been ruled out for the rest of the autumn after aggravating a long-standing hip problem. Saracens wing Noah Caluori has been called up in Feyi-Waboso’s place.

The injury followed a standout first half against Australia: Feyi-Waboso made 113 metres from eight carries and beat seven defenders before half-time. England’s 45-22 win over Australia lifted pressure on Steve Borthwick, but the wing’s absence is a setback ahead of the remaining autumn fixtures.