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Feyi-Waboso reminds England great Robinson of himself / Photo: © AFP
NYSE - LSE
Feyi-Waboso reminds England great Robinson of himself
England Rugby World Cup-winner Jason Robinson believes Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's impressive skills are reminiscent of his own as the wing looks to provide the current side with a cutting edge in the Six Nations.
Red Rose assistant coach Kevin Sinfield, a rugby league star, was the first to say Feyi-Waboso had the same dynamic pace and power as cross-code convert Robinson.
And Robinson, who starred in England's 2003 World Cup-winning team, has backed Exeter flyer Feyi-Waboso -- in the starting side for the team's Championship opener against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday -- to build on a fine record of seven tries in 13 Tests.
"There are a few flyers in the England team but I do love Manny Feyi-Waboso. He's an exciting player and he reminds me a little bit of myself back in the day," Robinson said of the 23-year-old.
"He's really quick, he's strong, he breaks the tackle and he builds momentum. He certainly can finish and score tries, so he's a key player."
Robinson, has also been impressed by the impact made by 21-year-old back-row Henry Pollock, whose five England caps off the bench have already yielded three tries.
"Henry Pollock is outstanding at the moment. I've not seen for some time a forward who is as exciting as the backs," Robinson said.
"He's young, very skilful, very strong, very quick and actually he doesn't really care. He's bit of a character and one of the greatest things is that he's delivering on the big stage."
Marcus Smith is among the replacements against Wales alongside Pollock, with the Harlequins fly-half also providing cover at full-back.
But former England full-back Robinson believes Smith is not a Test No 15.
"Versatility is sometimes really good and sometimes it actually goes against you. I'm sure Marcus would want to play 10 (fly-half)," he said. "It's a position that he's played all his career and it's a position that he probably feels most comfortable in.
"He's been playing full-back but as somebody who's played there for a few years, he's not a 15.
"There's a lot more to do in that 15 position that he wouldn't naturally cover, especially in defence. Defensively it's massive because you've got to work really well with your wingers."
F. Burkhard--BTZ
