Henry Slade is in line for a swift return to England’s midfield against New Zealand next week if he enjoys a successful comeback for Exeter on Sunday. Slade has been released early from the national squad’s warm‑weather camp in Spain to allow him to play against Harlequins in preparation for the reunion with the All Blacks.
Slade has yet to play a competitive match this season, having had shoulder surgery after England’s summer tour to Japan and New Zealand. So important has he become to the squad’s tactical approach, however, that the England management appear keen to rush him back if possible.
The 31-year-old centre has become a key cog in their aggressive defensive strategy and can also offer another kicking option in open play or off the tee. With Northampton’s Fraser Dingwall injured and Saracens’ Alex Lozowski only just back after a six‑year exile from the national squad, reuniting Slade with Ollie Lawrence in midfield would be a timely bonus.
It certainly suits a winless Exeter, who have been missing Slade’s experience and match-winning ability. From everyone’s perspective, therefore, it made sense for the player to fly home and prepare properly for the fixture at Sandy Park. “He and we are keen for him to get some minutes on the weekend,” Richard Wigglesworth, England’s senior assistant coach, said. “He’s going to train with Exeter and then get some game time. We both felt it was the right thing to do.”
Wigglesworth also confirmed that Slade would be in contention to face New Zealand assuming he makes it through unscathed. “From the outset we probably knew that was his target and that it was possible if it went well, which it has. When you have the experience and class he has – and he’s used to the systems we run – it definitely speeds up the process.
“We don’t know how he’ll come through this week but he understands defence and he’s committed to it. He’s important to us.”
Sione Tuipulotu has been handed the Scotland captaincy for the autumn series next month. Gregor Townsend has appointed the Glasgow centre to the role ahead of Rory Darge and Finn Russell, who led the team on a joint basis in the Six Nations this year.
Darge and Russell have been listed as vice-captains for the four Murrayfield Tests against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia. Townsend has selected five uncapped players in his 45-man group, with the Glasgow pair Alex Samuel and Tom Jordan joined by the Edinburgh trio Ben Muncaster, Freddy Douglas and Mosese Tuipulotu, the brother of Sione.
Caelan Doris, meanwhile, said being named captain for Ireland's scheduled internationals is an "enormous honour". The Leinster back row, 26, will captain the side in matches against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia in Dublin next month.
The flanker Peter O'Mahony, who had taken over as captain following Johnny Sexton's retirement, is named in the squad although the Irish Rugby Football Union says he will "continue his rehabilitation with Munster next week as he builds towards a return to action over the coming weeks".
If Slade does play against the All Blacks he would earn his 66th cap, nudging him ahead of Jeremy Guscott on the all-time list of England centres. The management are also hopeful the two Georges, Furbank and Ford, will soon be restored to full throttle, with both having taken part in modified training on a lovely clear morning on the Costa Brava.
England are keen to atone for their 2-0 series defeat in New Zealand, with the Tests in Dunedin and Auckland having gone down to the wire. Wigglesworth said there remains some frustration at the outcome but stressed that the abrupt departure of the assistant coaches Aled Walters and Felix Jones would not dilute England’s desire to play at pace and take the game to the opposition.
“Particularly with Aled I was close to him for a long time,” Wigglesworth said. “As a friend you miss him but as a friend I am also happy he’s doing what he wants to do. This is international sport … at the highest level stuff happens. You just have to adapt, make it better and move on.”
