Rob Baxter issues tentative update on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter admits that England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is in an important stage of his rehab as he looks to make a comeback before the end of the Six Nations.

The flying medical student has been out of action since dislocating his shoulder in a game against Sale Sharks before Christmas and has delayed having an operation, which would have damaged his chances of Lions selection.

Cardiff-born Feyi-Waboso, 22, who has scored five tries in nine games for his adopted country, still has some work to do before he is ready to play again, according to Baxter.

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“He is in a really important part of his rehab. He still has got quite a lot of strength goals to hit before we would feel comfortable with him doing contact,” said the Chiefs director of rugby.

“He is in a very important strengthening block. He is doing some pitch running and movement, but he is not yet doing any falling or getting off the floor or any type of contact. He is still a little way before he gets to that stage.

“So it’s progressing. He is getting stronger, and he is lifting properly so there are very positive signs. I don’t want people to think he is suddenly going to be playing next week. He is still a little off-ticking the boxes before getting to that part.”

Baxter also admits that 6 ft 7 in Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins won’t play against Gloucester in the Premiership Cup this weekend after missing the defeat to Italy last weekend through illness.

“He has come back after being pretty ill. He has played a lot in recent weeks. So it was one of those ones. We weren’t going to get him on the training pitch for a good chunk of this week while he was recovering from illness.

“It was also a bit of a push while he has got a bit of a niggly shoulder from the operation that we ae going to sort through. It was a push too far,” added Baxter.