From University Halls to Premiership Star: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's Meteoric Rise
Just a year ago, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was a hopeful student at Exeter University, aiming to secure a place on the university rugby union team while living in halls of residence. Fast forward to today, and the 21-year-old has transformed into one of English rugby’s most exciting young talents, balancing a burgeoning career in the Premiership with his medical studies.
Feyi-Waboso, now gearing up for his second season in the Premiership with Exeter Chiefs, has had an extraordinary year. His impressive debut season saw him become an England regular, and he made headlines with a try-scoring performance in both Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand this past July.
“This has been the best year of my life, so far,” Feyi-Waboso reflects. “Everything's just seeming to go in the right direction, I'm just scared for a drop now.”
The Cardiff-born winger’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. After moving to Exeter Chiefs from Wasps, following the latter's financial troubles in 2022, Feyi-Waboso enjoyed a standout season. He scored 15 tries in 28 matches for both club and country, choosing England over Wales before the Six Nations began.
“The first proper pinch-myself moment was my first start, and I think it was my first kind of set of starts, I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve kind of established myself in this Exeter team,’” he recalls. “Then the next one was definitely speaking to Steve [Borthwick, England head coach] on the phone. I was like, ‘Oh wow, he’s actually speaking to me,’ and then it was getting called up to England.”
Feyi-Waboso’s success didn’t stop there. His achievements were further highlighted by receiving various awards at the end of the year, marking a period of rapid ascent.
Off the pitch, Feyi-Waboso has moved out of university halls after passing his first-year medical exams and is now settling into a new house with his brother and a university friend. Despite the whirlwind of his rugby career, he continues to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.
Looking ahead, Feyi-Waboso remains focused on his development as a player. “I don’t know,” he admits when asked how much more he can improve. “Hopefully a lot more, but I feel like you never know. I started last season with goals like wanting to play in the uni team, then play in the Premiership Cup teams, and then the Premiership teams. It’s just milestone after milestone, and I’m just trying to hit those.”
He acknowledges there are areas for improvement but prefers to keep those specifics private. What he is willing to share is his growing comfort on the field and a newfound stability in his life. “Speaking to coaches, I feel a lot more comfortable. On the pitch, games seem to slow down a bit; it’s a little less frantic in my head, I guess. Off the pitch, I just feel like my life’s a bit more comfortable now. I feel a bit more stability, which means I can push on.”
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s journey from university halls to Premiership stardom is a testament to his remarkable talent and determination. As he continues to balance his dual aspirations in rugby and medicine, the future looks bright for this rising star.
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