Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

'A few of us sat down after last year's final and said we never wanted to feel like that again'

By Online Editors
Exeter's Henry Slade is glad his training ground injury hasn't ruined his England RWC hopes (Photo by Dave Rogers/Getty Images)

Henry Slade knows better than most what game day at Twickenham is all about. Having experienced it on numerous occasions with both club and country, the Exeter playmaker will stroll into the home of English Rugby again this Saturday with his eyes fixed firmly on the big prize.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chiefs are preparing for a fourth successive appearance in the Gallagher Premiership final and they are keen to redress the balance after losing last year’s decider 27-10 to Saracens, who again stand in their way in London.

Slade admits it was a dark place for him and his team-mates after that defeat 12 months ago. “I remember a few of us boys sat down after the game last year and told ourselves we never wanted to feel like that again,” he said.

“That experience a couple of years ago of winning the league was probably the best rugby experience I’ve ever had. To do that and get success with some of your best mates is such a good feeling and the days that follow on after that celebrating are just so good.

“This year we’ve been doing everything we can to make sure we don’t feel like we did last year. Now, we’ve got one more game at the weekend to do that. Whatever it is that spurs you on, we’ve got to use that to the best we can this weekend because we know what the feeling is having the reverse result like we had last year.”

The Chiefs have gone about their business impressively so far this season, booking their semi-final place in record-breaking time before then seeing off Northampton Saints comprehensively last weekend to secure their passage back to the final.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Over the last couple of years we’ve had a bit of a shift in our mindset,” added Slade. “If we’re honest, we were sort of just pleased to be in that first final. We then had a taste of winning it the year after and then having the complete disappointment of being absolutely gutted at losing last year.

“It shows the way the shift in mindset amongst the boys and coaches, and probably the fans as well, is what we expect of ourselves. We expect a lot more all the time now and if we can go one better this year then that would obviously be a massive thing for us.

Despite being one of the more recognisable names in the Chiefs squad, Slade is quick to pay tribute to those around him. “It’s been way more than just the boys taking the field at the weekend,” he explained.

“We’ve virtually used our whole squad this year and that shows how strong our whole squad is. I mean boys get injured, boys are away on international duty, or others just need a rest at times, whichever guys gets called in, they step up and it’s seamless, there is no drop off.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Exeter will be facing three finals losses to Saracens on Saturday. Will it be third time lucky? @officialexeterchiefs @saracensofficial @premrugby #premrugby #gallagherprem #premiershipfinal #saracensrugby #exeterchiefs #chiefsrugby #englandrugby

A post shared by RugbyPass (@rugbypass_) on

“That’s credit to the coaches for the work they do and the recruitment they don, but also an awesome effort from all of the boys this year to get us where we are.

“Even if boys haven’t been playing that much, the work they have being doing in training, prepping the side, playing at the weekend for games has been top class and I know the boys at the weekend can’t thank them enough.”

WATCH: The new episode of Don’t Mess with Jim sees former Saracens player Hamilton preview the Gallagher Premiership final

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Super Rugby takes: All Blacks' next enforcer, New Zealand's goal kicking woes Super Rugby takes: All Blacks' next enforcer
Search