The 'sensible' Exeter reaction to the England snub of Henry Slade

Exeter boss Rob Baxter has reacted magnanimously to the decision on Monday by Eddie Jones not to recall the fit-again Henry Slade to the England set-up for the Autumn Nations Series. The 29-year-old midfielder had been a regular pick on the team, starting in 19 of his 21 appearances since being a replacement for the 2019 World Cup final.

He started all five matches in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations but missed the July tour to Australia after it was decided to have an operation on a long-standing shoulder problem, something he spoke about at length to RugbyPass when interviewed at last month’s Gallagher Premiership launch at Twickenham.

Slade has since made it back to fitness to start three of the five league games played by Exeter so far this season. However, he was excluded from the 36-strong squad that will assemble next week in Jersey for a five-day training camp ahead of the Test series that commences against Argentina on November 6.

That setback would have been a blow to Slade given how accustomed he had become to being a regular on the Jones’ teamsheet, but Baxter branded the omission of his Exeter player as sensible.

“Obviously, he had a long time out with that shoulder, having that shoulder op and not going on tour,” said Baxter when asked about the Slade situation with England at his media briefing ahead of this Saturday’s Exeter versus Saracens Premiership fixture at Sandy Park.

“He then had a very limited pre-season and was only just back into playing as the season started. Without a doubt, he is not quite on touch and on the form he would like to be in, so I kind of think it was one of those sensible decisions. He has been named in the EPS squad, he has kind of been left to get on and play some rugby, which is probably the most important thing for him.

“In lots of ways, it seems like a sensible decision to me. Obviously, Henry is disappointed, he is bound to be. He wants to play for England, he wants to be involved in these big games but the truth is he also understands you have got to get on, you have got to play well and you have got to drive your club form and that is something he is very determined to do.”