England are confident Cardiff-born Immanuel Feyi-Waboso can cope with the extra pressure of facing Wales should the wing come off the bench in Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
Feyi-Waboso made his test debut as a late replacement in last week's first-round 27-24 win away to Italy.
The 21-year-old wing remains on the bench for the visit of Wales, with England coach Steve Borthwick having named an unchanged starting XV.
Line-up confirmed 🌹
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Head coach Steve Borthwick has named his team for #ENGvWAL in the #GuinnessM6N this weekend!
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Feyi-Waboso plays his club rugby for English Premiership side Exeter, with the promising flyer also a medical student in the southwest city.
Pledging allegiance to England, despite being born and brought up in Cardiff, led Wales coach Warren Gatland to say Feyi-Waboso's decision had not gone down well in his homeland.
'INCREDIBLY CALM'
But Borthwick was adamant he had no qualms about giving Feyi-Waboso, in fine form for Exeter this season, a chance to win a second cap.
"Not from my point of view," Borthwick told reporters at England's training base in Bagshot, southwest of London, after naming his matchday 23 on Thursday.
"He came on and did really well against Italy. He has been an incredibly calm, composed and mature character.
"He doesn't seem to get fazed. I only have good things to say about him."
England captain Jamie George added: "Manny is a very confident guy. He understands our defensive system because it's pretty similar to the one at Exeter, which is beneficial."
The only change to the England matchday 23 in Rome is the return of Ellis Genge, on the bench after the prop was ruled out on the morning of the Italy game with a foot injury.
But Borthwick's team selection means England are fielding an unchanged starting side for the first time since the 2019 World Cup final against South Africa in Japan where, coached by Eddie Jones, they suffered a 32-12 defeat.
"While last weekend's performance was far from perfect, it was a promising start," Borthwick said.
"It was a really promising start for the less experienced guys and the younger guys. There's a blend of leadership and experience. It's important to keep that blend and build cohesion and continuity.
"The players will get better and better the more they are playing together."
England fielded five debutants against Italy – Ethan Roots, Fraser Dingwall, Chandler Cunningham-South, Fin Smith and Feyi-Waboso – with blindside flanker Roots named man-of-the-match after a fine display at the Stadio Olimpico.
Gatland made seven changes to the Wales starting team he announced Wednesday following an agonising 27-26 loss to Scotland in Cardiff last weekend.
Wales were 27-0 down early in the second half only to score 26 unanswered points of their own as they almost launched their Six Nations with a sensational win.
"We expect the team and performance by Wales in the second half, we expect that standard," said Borthwick.
"Through the (Scotland) game they looked better and better and more cohesive. We're expecting the very best version of a very good Welsh team."
