Henry Slade facing lengthy spell on the sidelines

Exeter centre Henry Slade will miss the sold-out Gallagher Premiership clash with Saracens at Sandy Park through injury.

The England international was forced off during the first half of Saturday’s win at Leicester after taking knocks to both of his ankles.

He left Welford Road on crutches following the Chief’s 33-21 victory and the 26-year-old has undergone scans to assess the severity of his injuries.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told the club’s official website: “Sladey’s going to be out for a little while.

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“He’s picked up injuries to both of his ankles. He tried hobbling along with one, until he picked up the second.

“The second injury is more of a concern as it’s an injury in and around an old injury, which he had had previously plated. Right now, he’s continually being assessed and we will know more in due course.

“It is, however, not something he will be able to get over in a week or two – it’s more significant than that.”

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While it’s not great news for the Exeter star, England fans will simply be hoping that Slade is fit and firing come the Six Nations, which kicks off in at the start of February.

Slade played a major role in England’s World Cup campaign in 2019 and started in England’s quarter-final domination of Australia before coming off the bench against New Zealand and South Africa.

The World Cup runners-up will open their Six Nations against France, who will be looking to bounce back after effectively handing a semi-final victory to Wales during the World Cup knockout stages.

– with AssociatedPress

Henry Slades’ fellow England midfielder Manu Tuilagi spoke to RugbyPass regarding 2021’s Lions tour: