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International

Henry Slade brought back in from the cold in rejigged England backline

By Jon Newcombe

24 days ago

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 13: Henry Slade of England (R ) celebrates a try with scorer Immanuel Feyi-Waboso of England during the International Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and England at Eden Park on July 13, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Henry Slade has been handed the task of replacing Ollie Lawrence in England’s midfield after being named at outside-centre for Sunday’s match against Argentina.

It will be Slade’s first appearance for England since the opening Test of the summer series against Los Pumas in July.

Lawrence has made the position his own in the Quilter Nations Series, after making a quicker-than-expected return from an Achilles injury, and was outstanding 33-19 win against the All Blacks.

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However, he injured his hamstring late on, and has been ruled out of England’s final match of the year. Instead, Slade will partner Fraser Dingwall, who, like Lawrence, was among England’s try-scorers last Saturday.

There is also a return for Elliot Daly, who had been sidelined ever since breaking his arm on the Lions tour to Australia. The Saracens man will start on the wing, which is where he played in his last cap – the rout of Wales in the final round of this year’s Six Nations.

Another change to the backline sees Ben Spencer swap roles with Alex Mitchell, with Bath’s captain being promoted from the bench to the number nine jersey.

Joe Heyes, a regular fixture in the front row this November, makes way for Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour, while Ellis Genge returns to loose-head. Completing the front-row overhaul is Luke Cowan-Dickie, who is preferred to Jamie George.

Charlie Ewels has recovered from injury to take his place on the bench, alongside the recalled Theo Dan.

England v Argentina:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 40 caps)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 73 caps)
12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 73 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 104 caps) – vice-captain
9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 74 caps) – vice-captain
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 52 caps)
3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 96 caps) – captain
5. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
6. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 44 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 45 caps)

Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 19 caps)
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 17 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 52 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 64 caps)
21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
22. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 26 caps)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 46 caps)

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Comments

39 Comments

PMcD 23 days ago

I wonder how many drop goals George Ford will go for this week? Poor old Argentina, I bet they are already having cold sweats over seeing him drop into the pocket. 🤣🤣

PMcD 23 days ago

It’s a bit strange how SB only put CC-S on at the 78th minute last week and has then dropped him for this week for the return of Charlie Ewels (who has only just come back from injury).

It looks like CC-S is getting the same Ted Hill treatment as ARG, so may have some time on his hands in early Spring.

AA 24 days ago

Ford gets picked because he obligingly follows the plan . Kick the ruddy thing . Witness his excellent 50/22 when actually he had a 4 on 2 overlap anyway, but didnt see it. because he is told to kick behind the defence . And follows religiously. ( Good boy!) A heads up no 10 would have run it. OK, ford was right , because the England forwards scored a try from the throw-in . Instead of “potentially” a winger.

Fin and Marcus are more “unreliable” because they might get the back-line into play , hence poor Fin not being able to play with what is the Saints back line.

Utterly baffling. Amazing what 2 drop goals does for the excitable herd press.

I still say it will be Fin and Marcus come the W/C . So patience Fin/Marcus . Its 2 years away and ford will only get slower still.

fl 24 days ago

You’re such a petulant child. Admit you were wrong!

B T 24 days ago

So is Fin Smith just 3rd choice now for SB? Doesn't quite add up to me. I get having Marcus on the bench to cover 15 but Daly is in the squad so naturally that's cover at 15 regardless and Henry Slade has played at 15 to.

Don't want to make this a constant conversation about 10s but just feels like Fin has been demoted for going on a lions tour and even when we've got 2 players who could cover 15, he's not fancied on the bench either.

Speaking of Slade it will be good to see him in a more natural 13 position for him

Tom 24 days ago

He's second choice 10 but he doesn't cover the back 3 so he doesn't work for a 6-2 split. Although he probably could cover 12 in a pinch

Dave Didley 24 days ago

There’s every chance that it’s a last audition for Marcus Smith to be the benching 10.

If anything, I think it points towards Ford being the nailed on 10 going forward. Very smart move for me if that’s the case. SB is possibly double checking decisions around who supports Ford as the bencher.

It’s definitely not Farrell anyway.

PMcD 24 days ago

I think it’s a job to get this week done (with literally the players we have standing).

I think when we consider the 6N’s and you have the following scenario:

9. Alex Mitchell

12. Frazer Dingwall

14. Tommy Freeman

15. George Furbank

You would need a very good reason not to put Fin Smith at 10 and let that almost ready made Saints backline that probably offers the most potent attack, whilst also leading the Premiership loose in the 6N’s on top of our new found defence.

It’s basically looking like a Sarries/Sale defence, with a Saints attack for ENG.

Ford is still proving his use and value but I think Fin Smith will still be given his chance when he has the players around him to play his game.

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