'Don't get me started': Exeter's Ikitau makes feelings clear on England selection

Henry Slade is spending this week in camp with England, who have only used him once this season when he scored a try in England’s Quilter Nations Series campaign against Argentina, much to the aghast of Exeter Chiefs team-mate Len Ikitau.

The pair have struck up something of a bromance since the Wallaby moved to Sandy Park on a short-term contract earlier this season, and Ikitau can’t believe that Slade has been underused by England boss Steve Borthwick.

He rightly points out that Slade was one of England’s most influential centres before the Guiness Six Nations and says it’s a credit to him that he hasn’t allowed the setback to affect his form.

“Don’t get me started. Yeah, you’ve got to pick on form. I think Sladey was a form centre during the Six Nations period, and obviously, he didn’t get a game, which is quite disappointing.

“But I think just the way he is, he’s kind of shrugged it off and just come back and played the way he’s been playing is a credit to him as a player and as a person.

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“Sladey is someone who does a lot when no one’s watching, without the ball, works as hard as anyone and, obviously, his goal kicking and his kicking for touch are world-class.

“I can’t goal kick. I can’t kick for touch, but just being able to sit back and watch him go to work has been awesome. I think for me, I wanted to come here and kind of play my game to help the back line,” he said.

Ikitau, who is hoping to return to the Chiefs in 2027 when his Rugby Australia contract runs out, admits that the number of young players coming through the ranks has surprised him.

“I think just the amount of talent that the Chiefs have at the club, like, our captains (Dafydd Jenkins) is what, 23 or 24 years old? I came here thinking he was 30. There are so many players here who are so young, and yeah, it’s crazy.

“They’re young players, but they play like they’re kind of seasoned veterans, Manny’s (Feyi-Waboso) 23. (Campbell) Ridl’s 21. Paul (Brown-Bampoe) is 24. It’s definitely something Australia needs to do. Bring all the youngsters through, and just seeing the young boys come through has been crazy,” he adds.