The Exeter prediction about Henry Slade and his England chances
Exeter boss Rob Baxter has hailed the influence of Henry Slade on the Chiefs this season and backed him to be in contention for an international recall. England head coach Steve Borthwick sprung a major selection surprise last summer by omitting 56-cap Slade from his Rugby World Cup squad.
Slade has responded impressively, though, guiding Exeter to second place in the Gallagher Premiership table ahead of Saturday’s Sandy Park showdown with leaders Northampton. He is also the Premiership’s top points-scorer this term, proving a pivotal figure on and off the pitch.
Exeter’s exciting crop of young players – relative newcomers like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tom Wyatt, and Greg Fisilau – have all commanded attention, but 30-year-old centre Slade has provided a dominant presence.
Borthwick will announce his squad for the Guinness Six Nations later this month and Baxter said: “I’m very confident that Henry is in and about and in the mix there. There are a number of centres who are playing well, but I am certain he will be in the mix and that is why it’s important he keeps playing with the quality he is playing with.
“He has got a couple of weeks now, a couple of big performances. Northampton here, in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday, is a huge opportunity for that; then we go into European Cup rugby the next couple of weeks after that. There are some big opportunities for Henry to lay down a marker and I’m sure he will take every opportunity he can.”
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Slade has proved instrumental to Exeter’s Premiership title push while also starring in Europe, making significant scoring contributions during Investec Champions Cup victories over previous tournament winners Toulon and Munster.
The cumulative effect has resulted in Chiefs starting 2024 by challenging strongly on domestic and European fronts. That is no mean feat given the departures last year of players such as Jack Nowell, Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dave Ewers and Harry Williams.
Baxter added: “There are two parts to it. His [Slade’s] experience and his seniority are only important if he also trains and plays with an energy and a drive that the younger players do because without that it doesn’t mean anything.
“That is what is really pleasing to me with Henry’s performances, that he is training, playing and talking with a vibe and an energy like he is the same age as them. But the benefit is he has got hundreds of games more experience – and international experience as well – and that is why it is valuable.
“One thing without the other would be less valuable to us, but the fact he has got both is what is making his contribution so valuable to us at the moment.”
Northampton are next up for Slade and co, with Exeter targeting an eighth win from 11 Premiership starts and keeping themselves firmly in a play-off picture that currently sees the top six clubs separated by just three points.
“Everyone should just be delighted by playing in these kinds of games because the lads are enjoying it,” Baxter said. “But we have got to maintain that. We are enjoying ourselves, week by week. We are keeping pretty level-headed on results.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments