While there is never a need for added motivation ahead of any Six Nations meeting between England and Wales, this afternoon's clash between the pair could have some extra spice due to the presence of one player in Steve Borthwick's squad.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been included in England's matchday squad for the first time, with the 21-year old included on the bench for the game at Twickenham.
He is a recent addition to the squad, with his inclusion causing some controversy.
Feyi-Waboso was born and raised in Cardiff, only moving to England to join Wasps in 2022. He would then join the Exeter Chiefs where has has impressed this season. He qualifies for England via the ancestry rule.
READ HERE: England Captain Left Embarrassed By Woeful Roy Keane Impression
Warren Gatland response to player choosing England over Wales
Warren Gatland has conducted a major overhaul of his Wales squad for this year's Six Nations, something Immanuel Feyi-Waboso would no doubt have been part of had he opted to play for the nation of his birth.
Speaking ahead of the game, Gatland said he accepted the player's decision to play for England. He also recalled the reaction of his coach Neil Jenkins when they first heard that the winger had opted against playing for their team.
We haven’t even spoken about him. He’s made his decision so good luck to him. There’s been no mention of his name whatsoever.
Jenks has made that comment in jest to me in the room. I said: ‘he’s made a decision to play for England,’ and Jenks being the ultra-proud Welshman as he is, kind of said… ‘if he doesn’t want to play for Wales then b****r him’.
I love that, it’s just showing how proud you are to be Welsh. If you don’t want to be Welsh then p*** off...
It doesn’t add any extra spice. None of our tactics have mentioned his name or anything.
There are a lot of players from both countries who are dual-qualified. Good luck to him. I hope things go well for him.
While Immanuel Feyi-Waboso would have been a valuable addition to the Wales squad, it seems as though they are not losing any sleep over the fact that he opted to play for England.
They would no doubt like to get one over on him and their old rivals during this Six Nations meeting.
SEE ALSO: U20s Six Nations Referee Scolds Disobedient Players With Brilliant Line
