Struggling Exeter Chiefs start Henry Slade after England release
England outside centre Henry Slade will make his first appearance of the season as Exeter Chiefs look to end their worst start to a Premiership season when Harlequins visit Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon.
Slade has been given special permission from England coach Steve Borthwick to play in the game after missing the start of the new season after having a shoulder operation after the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand.
After being released from their camp in Spain, he will have the chance to prove his fitness ahead of England’s opening clash of their Autumn Nations Series campaign against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday week.
Slade will partner Will Rigg in the midfield, with Olly Woodburn, who had been standing in for him, moving back out to the wing with Paul Brown-Bampoe and Josh Hodge rounding out the back three.
The Chiefs, who have lost their opening five games, including a reverse against Newcastle Falcons, who ended a 25-game winless run last time and a sixth loss, will set a new club record for their longest losing run in the top-flight.
“No single player is a cure-all to everything, and you don’t suddenly put one player in and win every game, but I think without doubt when you see how we lost a couple of games this season.
“I’m particularly talking about our two home games – you do kind of think it wouldn’t have taken much more authority or calmness on the field for those to have been not comfortable, but they could have easily turned our way.
“So, when you look at it that way, that obviously puts a big difference on the perspective of the season,” admitted Chiefs boss Rob Baxter, who has rung the changes in an effort to end their winless streak.
Scott Sio is named captain, while Richard Capstick moves alongside Franco Molina in the second row with Jacques Vermeulen returning from injury while Will Becconsall starts at scrum half for the first time this season.
Exeter: Josh Hodge, Olly Woodburn, Henry Slade, Will Rigg, Paul Brown-Bampoe, Will Haydon-Wood, Will Becconsall; Scott Sio (c), Dan Frost, Ehren Painter, Franco Molina, Richard Capstick, Ross Vintcent, Jacques Vermeulen, Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: Jack Yeandle, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Marcus Street, Rusi Tuima, Ethan Roots, Stu Townsend, Harvey Skinner, Ben Hammersley.
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Have a look at the world rankings and the top 8 sides. 4 from each hemisphere. Results are even across the board from the top 4 against each other to the following 4 against each other. Nothing in it, check the results it’ll back up it all up, as the standings do. However, i know you don’t like detail, results based facts and being objective, so, Scotland beat Australia and the aussies beat England in the autumn. While, England beat Argentina the previous autumn at rwc. Argentina and Scotland were 2-1 in a paper thin close series in Argentina a year ago. Those middle tier nations as you call them are even in results and the better squads are in the north, with the first 15’s been close.
Go to commentsI totally agree. As I said earlier,great hit out. Tasman lock Antonio Shalfoon stood out big time, as did Wellington halfback Kyle Preston. I think Kyle and one test All Black Noah Hotham , ( who was brilliant for the Crusaders last year), are going to be a great one -two punch long term for us.Canterbury 15 Isaac Hutchinson and Nelson College inside back Harry Inch, were both amazing. Canterbury 10, James White, ( the latter was out injured), all have big futures.
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