Feyi-Waboso returns for Halloween game

October 30, 2026
35
Ultimate Rugby

Exeter Chiefs and England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will return to the starting line-up for round five of the Gallagher PREM against Harlequins tomorrow afternoon at Sandy Park.

The Halloween clash pits ninth place against 10th as the hotly contested league continues this weekend. Feyi-Waboso has recovered from a hamstring injury to feature in the back-three.

However, Dafydd Jenkins and Tom Hooper are both absent having picked up knocks against Bristol Bears last weekend. Harry Wilson and Lewis Pearson return to the starting XV in their places.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I think it’s a big challenge for us this weekend. Harlequins will arrive feeling good about themselves after a comprehensive win over Saracens last week where they played very well. We’re probably a bit edgy in that we’re looking at the league table thinking we need some points.

“I think that will all make it an interesting encounter. We’re both good sides with good players and the intent to win games. So, it’ll be the mental approach of both sides that’s the interesting factor. My challenge is to get ours right by the time we kick off.”

After a dominant showing at set-piece last weekend, the front-row is unchanged. Props Nika Abuladze and Josh Iosefa-Scott pack down on either side of hooker Jack Yeandle. The Crediton hooker wears the captain’s armband in the absence of Jenkins.

With Hooper also ruled out, there is an opportunity for Pearson to make his first appearance since injuring his pectoral muscle against Bears in September’s Prem Rugby Cup match at Sandy Park. He partners up with Wilson for the first time.

A combined total of 53 tackles made last round keeps the back-row intact. Ethan Roots and Ross Vintcent start on the flanks with Greg Fisilau rounding out the scrum at No.8.

Stephen Varney reclaims his starting position at scrum-half with Harvey Skinner at fly-half. Will Butt and Henry Slade are trusted with the keys to the midfield for another week.

Feyi-Waboso returns on the right wing with Olly Woodburn shifting to the left to accommodate Will Haydon-Wood coming into the XV at full-back.

Baxter added: “I think Harlequins won the attitude battle in their match last week; they got it right across the team. That’s still one of the most important things in team sport. If we can win that battle tomorrow, at home and in front of a what looks to be a decent crowd, that should be the difference-maker for us.”

Having made his return to the pitch last weekend, hooker Max Norey features on the bench alongside props Will Goodrick-Clarke and Bachuki Tchumbadze. Young second-rower Joe Bailey, who missed out on making his league debut in round one due to illness, readies for his debut this weekend as he joins Kane James on the bench.

Sam Wolstenholme covers Varney at scrum-half while the adaptable Ben Hammersley and Zack Wimbush round out the 23.

The game kicks off at 15:00 in Devon.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Will Haydon-Wood

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

13 Henry Slade

12 Will Butt

11 Olly Woodburn

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stephen Varney

1 Nika Abuladze

2 Jack Yeandle (c)