| venue: twickenham stadium, london date: Saturday, March 9th kick off: 16:45 GMT |
| coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster. Live text updates, reports, reactions and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app. |
From avoiding relegation in England Rugby's third tier to making his first Test start in the Six Nations in less than 18 months, Immanuel Fay-Waboso's rise to the top has been remarkable.
This medical student is a clinical try-scorer with elusive footwork and power, as well as terrifying acceleration.
Fay-Waboso, 21, is one of three substitutes in the England side tasked with denying Ireland the chance of winning a consecutive Grand Slam when they face Twickenham on Saturday.
Head coach Steve Borthwick and his demanding home support will be hoping the selection of the Exeter winger can help reinvigorate England's sluggish attack.
“Manny is ready, more than ready,” England captain Jamie George said. “You've seen that in his time on the field in the Six Nations so far.
“He's an incredible talent, but we've been very impressed with the growth we've seen in Manny.”
England broke through the Scottish defense in the early stages and scored a superb try from George Firbank, but lost momentum in the final game against Murrayfield.
The visiting team started conceding too much possession, thereby giving up the lead, before being replaced by Fay-Waboso off the bench.
In just his second cap, he produced a shining moment as he burst out from the wing, ran a strong line on the verge of a breakdown, and raced up to open his international account.
This was a silver lining in what was an overall disappointing performance and gave Borthwick and his staff enough evidence that Fay-Waboso should start against Ireland. Missed England's recent training camp in York To take the university exam.
“His desire to learn, his enthusiasm always has to draw him back,” George added. “He's very excited about this opportunity, and you can see that. That energy is contagious throughout the team.”
“One of the most powerful people I've ever seen.”
England and Exeter teammate Henry Slade has been amazed by Fay-Waboso's physical ability, which has helped him score seven tries in just 26 senior games.
“He's one of the strongest people I've ever seen,” Slade told BBC Sport. “Some of the things he's done at Exeter are so far off to me that I think, 'How is that possible?'
“When he gets the ball in his hands and enters contact forcefully, he’s pretty scary because he has real power and explosiveness.
“If you get him the ball in space, it will be difficult for anyone to defend him.”
Cardiff-born Fay-Waboso made his first first team appearance for his hometown Blues after showing promise in the club's academy and in the Wales age groups.
But Cardiff University's decision not to offer him a place to study medicine means his journey from Wales' red jersey to England's Red Rose begins.
Fay-Waboso is entitled to represent England through his ancestry. His father is half-Nigerian and half-British, and his paternal grandmother is from Gloucester.
Cardiff's defeat benefited Aston University, albeit on a slightly different course, while a move to the Midlands led to a deal with Wasps.
But timing intervened once again as the Coventry-based club came into power on the verge of making their Premiership debut.
He then joined Exeter Chiefs, was loaned to national side Taunton Titans, and enrolled in medical school at the University of Exeter.
Exeter's rebuild this season gave Fay-Waboso the opportunity to establish himself, and he grabbed it with both hands.
