Exeter Chiefs get mammoth Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Test returnees boost ahead of Challenge Cup play-offs and PREM run-in
Henry Slade (right) and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (left) are set to make their returns for Exeter this weekend against Munster
Exeter Chiefs look set to be boosted by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade and Dafydd Jenkins for their upcoming EPCR Challenge Cup clash with Munster.
The trio all missed the Devonians’ PREM win over Newcastle Red Bulls last Friday, with Feyi-Waboso still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Jenkins rested after the Six Nations and Slade missing due to the birth of his child, but will all be in full contention for their pivotal European tie this weekend.
The clash at Sandy Park is the latest chapter in the growing European rivalry between the two clubs, who have met in five of the past eight years since 2018.
Exeter boosted by key Test trio for Munster as Rob Baxter issues squad update
Speaking ahead of the game, boss Rob Baxter confirmed the trio were among some key returnees this weekend.
“Daf’s back from his rest week after the Six Nations, Henry Slade’s back in full training and available this week following the birth of his daughter and Manny (Feyi-Waboso) is in full training and available now so that’s a nice addition to our back-three stocks.
“Ehren Painter is in full training as well, so he’s fully available. We’re starting to thicken out the squad, and that’s what you want to see at this time of year.
“We’re starting to get a lot of players back in and around the squad, and that adds a lot of vibrancy and energy to the squad and hopefully we can start to show the best of ourselves.”
Exeter could also look to bring back Christ Tshiunza and Joseph Dweba into their match-day 23 as well, with the pair not featuring since Exeter’s PREM Cup Final defeat.
“They’re available,” Baxter said of the Wales and Springbok Test stars. “Week-by-week, you need to balance within your EQP (England qualified player) numbers, but they’re certainly available and in full training. They’re not injured.”
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Feyi-Waboso’s return in particular will come as welcome news to the respected director of rugby, with the winger making his long-awaited return to the field after picking up the knock on the eve of the Six Nations – which ruled him out of the entirety of England’s campaign.
This is the latest injury lay-off the explosive back has had in the past year, with him previously missing the entire second half of last season through a dislocated shoulder before missing the opening PREM Cup block through another hamstring issue as well.
“He’s a pretty switched-on young man, and these things happen in rugby,” Baxter said of Feyi-Waboso. “You have to use your down periods to improve yourself and work on the bits you can.
“He’s desperate to get back on the field, and we’ll see what comes of that this week.”
Elsewhere, Len Ikitau is also progressing on with his rehab, but Baxter remains hesitant to put an exact timeframe on his return to action.
“Len’s a little bit behind some of the other guys, but he’s getting there. He’s doing a fair bit of running around, but we’re being very careful on any contacts at the moment as he’s getting towards that end stage.
“I don’t want to put an exact timescale on it, but we’re hoping he’s close to that PREM block when we return from Europe.”
