Join the Miguel Delaney team: Inside Football Join the Miguel Delaney Inside newsletter to get exclusive access and unparalleled insight. Football Join the Miguel Delaney Inside newsletter Football newsletterEngland may be forced to rip up their back three plans for Saturday’s clash with Fiji — but will still be able to count on the player acclaimed as the new Jason Robinson.Wing Tom Roebuck has joined full-back Freddie Steward in becoming a major doubt for the Allianz Stadium appointment because of injury, preventing Steve Borthwick from naming his team on Tuesday as planned.Steward has yet to train this week due to a hand problem while Roebuck was unable to complete Tuesday’s session after suffering ankle damage. Both players will be given until Thursday to prove their fitness.open image in galleryFreddie Steward is yet to train this week due to a hand injury (PA)If they are ruled out, Marcus Smith is expected to be given the number 15 jersey while Henry Arundell could fill the vacancy on the wing in what would be his first Test appearance since the bronze final of the 2023 World Cup.It raises the prospect of Borthwick fielding a thrilling back three that would be completed by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the Exeter flyer who England are determined to use to greater effect after he saw little of the ball in Saturday’s 25-7 victory over Australia.Excitement gripped Twickenham when Feyi-Waboso did set off on a run against the Wallabies, earning the 22-year-old the comparison with cross code great Robinson that has been made by Kevin Sinfield.Robinson, nicknamed ‘Billy Whizz’He was known for his explosive acceleration and electric footwork. Sinfield was a former Leeds playmaker and Great Britain’s playmaker who faced Robinson early in his career.“Manny reminds me a lot of Jason Robinson and that’s a fair similarity I know, but I don’t think I have come across anybody as powerful, or anybody as explosive over that first couple of metres as Manny. I haven’t seen it,” Sinfield said.open picture in galleryImmanuel Felyi Wabso has been compared with England great Jason Robinson.“Rob Burrow was very explosive but he wouldn’t have had the muscle mass that Manny has.“Jason is probably the most similar player we have got – his ability to pull through tackles, the strength in his hips. There aren’t many players like that.“They just beat people. And they don’t just beat people one way, they can do it in a variety of different ways. If we can get the ball in his hands more often we will score more tries.”Feyi Waboso said he was happy to be compared to Robinson before the second of four tests at Twickenham later this month. New Zealand, Argentina and Argentina will complete the schedule.“I have watched some highlights of Jason and it’s crazy. Anything that compares me to him is massive,” said this season’s leading try-scorer in the Gallagher Prem.open image in galleryJason Robinson won the World Cup with England in 2003 (PA Archive)“I’d love to be half the player he was with his pace and power. I would love to resemble any aspect of his game I can – he was such a great winger.“If I like something or something looks effective in another player’s game I try to incorporate it, but feet that fast are hard to incorporate! No one was like him.”Feyi Wabso is determined to hunt for the ball in order to have a greater impact on Fiji.“If you want touches on the ball you need to go and find it,” He said.
2025-11-04 18:08:49
England given back three headache as Tom Roebuck joins Freddie Steward as major doubts for Fiji clash
