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The Rob Baxter update on the future of Henry Slade at Exeter
By Neil Fissler
Rob Baxter has confirmed that one of his crown jewels, England outside centre Henry Slade, will stay with Exeter Chiefs when his contract expires at the end of the season.
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Slade spoke to Top 14 leaders Stade Francais after being left out of his country’s Rugby World Cup squad earlier this season, but he has since forced his way back into Steve Borthwick’s plans and was a mainstay of their Guinness Six Nations squad.
The recently turned 31-year-old played 345 minutes in the championship, including full games against Italy and Wales. With the tournament now over, the Chiefs have given him this week off and he has taken his family away for a sunshine break in Dubai.
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Slade, who has played over 200 games for the Chiefs, is likely to be given a £160,000 hybrid contract by the RFU to top up his Exeter salary, making it more attractive for him to stay in the Premiership and turn his back on France.
Asked at a media briefing on Wednesday if he is confident he would still have Slade in his Gallagher Premiership squad next season, Baxter replied yes.
“I cannot officially say that he is staying because I can’t show you the signed contract. Yes, I would say. But I’ll let everyone know what it is signed, sealed and delivered. Henry has been playing and training like a young man.
“We are watching the Henry Slade of five or six years ago. That’s down to Henry deciding to do that. That’s a credit to him. He brings a lot of leadership and experience and keeps things on track. He has become the pivot point in the England system.”
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Baxter added that Slade had been given a week off by the club and will miss Saturday’s visit to Sandy Park by Newcastle, the Premiership’s basement side who are now under the management of Steve Diamond and seeking the first win of their league season.
The Chiefs will also rest Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins, the player who made the most tackles out of anyone in the Six Nations. Baxter explained that he would instead come back in for the trip to Sale Sharks on Sunday week.
“Obviously, Dafydd did get breaks during the Six Nations with the rest weeks, but we feel that it is the right thing to do. He is a very proud young man and obviously, it’s hurt him – and it will hurt him for a little while,” he said about a campaign that ended with Wales losing all five of their matches.
“That is why I thought it was important to give him a break but at the same time, I know it will do him some good to get on with training and playing without the exposure he gets when captaining Wales.
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However, Baxter does expect to welcome back newly-capped England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The first-year medical student missed England’s defeat to France in Lyon after diagnosing himself with concession following their win over Ireland.
Feyi-Waboso, who has penned a new long-term contract with the club, has enjoyed a breakout season with the Chiefs. He scored six tries in 14 games and is making progress with the return-to-play protocols.
“We have got plenty of time, but he is ticking off the boxes. He is moving through the end stages of the physical activity with no symptoms. So he is pretty much there. If he continues to tick those boxes, he will be available to play.
“I’m delighted for him. It was a big call for him to choose England. People probably underestimated how big a decision it was for him to make. He took the England path and fair play to the guy. It’s paid off for him.”
