England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will miss the entire Six Nations because of the dislocated shoulder sustained on club duty for Exeter last month.
Feyi-Waboso is to undergo surgery on the joint damaged against Sale on December 21 that will rule him out for around three months, the PA news agency understands.
The 22-year-old is one of England’s most dangerous players with a strike-rate of five tries in eight matches and, if fit, would have been an automatic pick for the Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 1.
Apart from the setback to Steve Borthwick’s hopes of overseeing a revival in the Championship following a poor autumn, Feyi-Waboso has been denied the most important stage of all to press his claim to British and Irish Lions selection.
Andy Farrell takes the Lions to Australia this summer and the Chiefs’ finisher was a frontrunner for one of the back three spots because of his impact since making his Test debut in last year’s Six Nations.
He was also forced to sit out the matches against South Africa and Japan in November after being concussed against Australia.
His absence stretches England’s back-three resources with George Furbank likely to miss the start of the Championship with a broken arm.
Ollie Sleightholme and Tom Roebuck will compete to fill the vacancy on the wing, although the former limped off in Northampton’s victory over Bath on Sunday.
Borthwick names his squad for the Six Nations next Tuesday with the head coach needing to turn England’s fortunes around as scrutiny on his position grows following a disappointing 2024.
France without Ollivon for Six Nations
France flanker Charles Ollivon will also miss the Six Nations due to a knee issue.
France forward Charles Ollivon will miss the Six Nations with a knee injury
The 31-year-old is set to undergo surgery after sustaining the injury during the early stages of Toulon’s 36-24 Top 14 victory over Racing 92 on Saturday. He will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Ollivon sustained his season-ending knee injury in Toulon’s Top 14 victory over Racing 92 on Saturday
Posting on Instagram, Ollivon, who has 46 Test caps, wrote: “I have to stop doing what I love for the moment and I will undergo an operation soon. As of now I am 200 per cent behind the team before I can join next season.”
France begin the Six Nations on Friday January 31 by hosting Wales at the Stade de France in Paris.