Rugby star Greg Fisilau - who is set to win his first England cap during this year's Six Nations - had to fight through double shoulder surgery and a troublesome recovery last summer, which included his girlfriend having to 'wipe his bum'. The Exeter Chiefs' number eight is one of three uncapped players chosen by Steve Borthwick to feature in the England squad ahead of this year's Six Nations.

But the journey hasn't been easy with the 22-year-old forward having to undergo double shoulder surgery last summer which ruled him out of England's tour of the Americas. He told Mail Sport: "'I had one side done first and then the other four weeks later. 'There was a conversation about doing both shoulders at the same time, but I genuinely wouldn't have been able to wipe my own a**e! I was struggling with one.

"My girlfriend Lydia was with me at the time and washing me. She actually did wipe my bum at one time. We've been together almost two years, so we're at a good stage... the bum-wiping stage!"

Fisilau suffered the season-ending shoulder injury in May last year during a club record 79-17 loss against Gloucester with Exeter confirming he would need surgery.

The youngster was in red-hot form prior to the injury and has continued where he left off this season. With his shoulder issues sorted, Fisilau focused on upping his weight in order to improve his ball-carrying at the request of both Borthwick and his Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter.

"One of the things Rob spoke to me about was putting on a few more kilos because it can be crucial around ball-carrying," Fisilau says.

"Most of the messages from Steve have been around my ability to get over the gain-line as a ball-carrier. As a No 8, that's a huge part of my position. Then there are things like tackle and set-piece dominance.

"He wants dominance around the park. That was a goal I was trying to strive towards. I was around 107 kilos before the operations. I'm 110 or 111 now. I'm feeling really comfortable at this weight."

Fisilau's father, former Plymouth Albion centre and Tongan international, Keni, grew up alongside Fe'ao Vunipola, whose sons are former England forwards Mako and Billy. Fisilau is not related to the pair, but they are acquaintances who refer to each other as 'family'.

"I was born in Plymouth and my parents tried to keep it as quite a traditional household," Fisilau says. "They tried to teach us as much as they could about Tongan morals. It was tough at times. There is strict parenting and a completely different culture raising kids in Tonga."

When asked about making his England debut during the Six Nations, Fisilau said: "It's something you only really dream of as a child. It feels like such an honour to even be considered for it. It's something my dad, mum and family have spoken about a lot. It would be such a big opportunity to represent my country and my family."

England kick-off their 2026 Six Nations campaign against Wales at Twickenham this Saturday (4.40pm).