PARTISAN observers in Wales were poring over Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's family tree when the Cardiff-born Exeter wing popped up in England's Six Nations squad.
When it came to pledging international allegiance, however, the 21-yearold rising star opted to take a leaf out of his parents' and grandparents' medical careers.
Feyi-Waboso is every bit as focused on following in his family footsteps to become a doctor as he is about cutting it at Test level with Steve Borthwick's England.
So, once Cardiff University had rejected his application, despite three A*s at A-Level, Feyi-Waboso now candidly admits the path had opened for him to go on and choose England.
Asked if he had ever wondered what might have been had he been accepted by Cardiff, Feyi-Waboso replied: "Not really, no. As soon as I didn't get in, I didn't think about it again, to be fair." Wales boss Warren Gatland's reaction to a former Cardiff academy starlet declaring for England was to reveal other coaches in the country were "disappointed" in the young wing's decision.
Wales ultimately should be disappointed with their own mishandling of a young player's wider career aspirations.
Where Cardiff and the city's university were disjointed, Exeter Chiefs have worked hand in hand with the Devon city's seat of learning.
Denne historien er fra February 15, 2024-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra February 15, 2024-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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