Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's Red Card Mars England's Warm-Up Loss to France
England's rugby warm-up match against France is overshadowed by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's red card, impacting the team's preparations.
Key Points
- • Immanuel Feyi-Waboso received a red card for a high tackle against France.
- • England led by 12 points but lost the match 26-24.
- • Head coach Steve Borthwick voiced disappointment over Feyi-Waboso's card and its repercussions.
- • The match featured tries from both seasoned players and newcomers in the squad.
In a dramatic warm-up match at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, England's rugby team faced a significant setback, losing 26-24 to France after leading by 12 points late in the game. The match on June 22, 2025, was notable for the red card issued to England's Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who received the dismissal for a high tackle on French fly-half Antoine Hastoy in the first half. Initially showing only a yellow card, the decision was escalated to a red after further review, leaving the England squad uncertain about Feyi-Waboso's status for their upcoming summer tour to Argentina and the United States.
Head coach Steve Borthwick expressed his disappointment regarding the incident, noting that Feyi-Waboso is devastated and awaiting the outcome of a disciplinary review that will determine the length of his suspension. This situation raises concerns about England's preparedness as Borthwick gears up to finalize the touring squad.
Despite the setback, England's performance included standout moments with tries scored by Tom Willis, Alex Coles, newcomer Joe Carpenter, and replacement Alex Dombrandt. However, they were unable to maintain their lead late in the game, surrendering victory to France, who scored decisive late tries from Paul Mallez and Romain Taofifenua.
The match, attended by 34,129 spectators, highlighted England's blend of new and experienced players as they continue to fine-tune their squad in anticipation of the summer tour ahead. With both the outcome of the match and the implications of the red card hanging heavily over the team, Borthwick's focus now turns to ensuring the squad is well-prepared for their next challenges.