Slade's start for Exeter gives Chiefs talisman a chance to impress ahead of New Zealand showdown
Slade hasn't played a competitive mintue since England's second Test against the All Blacks back in July
©PA
The chances of Henry Slade returning to England’s midfield in time to face New Zealand next weekend are likely to hinge on events at Sandy Park.
On Sunday, Exeter Chiefs welcome Harlequins to Devon with the hosts desperate to turn their fortunes around before the international window begins.
Rob Baxter’s side are currently winless and their miserable start to the Premiership season was amplified in Round Five after Newcastle Falcons brought their 25-match losing run to an end against the Chiefs.
However, Exeter’s morale may have been boosted this week after talisman Slade was released from England’s training camp in Spain to allow him to play against Quins.
The 31-year-old has not played a competitive minute this season but has been thrown straight into Exeter's starting XV.
If Slade goes well on Sunday, it will only increase the probability of him slotting back into an England side where he has been so integral to their blitz defence system.
Even with Felix Jones departing and Joe El-Abd coming in, Steve Borthwick’s side seem keen on sticking with the ‘blitz blueprint’ for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.
Slade’s initial selection also indicates that Borthwick is looking to build squad stability, especially after the exodus of some of his coaching staff.
He has stuck to his trusted players which highlights an intent to get results this autumn over attempting to bring in new faces.
Perhaps not getting a win down in New Zealand in the summer - despite all the good rugby they played - is a driver behind wanting to put a marker down next month.
Slade has started all of England’s games in 2024 and if his spot in the XV is under threat, then it may come from the unexpected return of Alex Lozowski.
The Saracen is back in the squad after six years away from the international game, with his last appearance coming in that infamous meeting with Japan in 2018.
Lozowski - who slotted an ice-cool penalty last weekend to clinch a pulsating 37-35 victory away at Bristol Bears - has been superb this term and should be considered for England’s 13 shirt based on form but also because of his versatility.
He offers many of the qualities that Slade does. He is capable of being another distributor in the backline - paired with a kicking game - but also, his defensive prowess will mean he will fit very well into any system which England decide to use this autumn.
In many ways, he may even offer a touch more physicality than Slade does, with years of experience playing in a brutal Saracens defence.
If Slade’s return on Sunday doesn’t go according to plan - and with Northampton’s Fraser Dingwall currently injured - Lozowski may well partner Bath’s Ollie Lawrence in England’s midfield.
Scrum-half selections
Someone who hasn’t recovered in time like Slade has is scrum-half Alex Mitchell who had made the nine shirt his own over the past 18 months.
So which of Jack Van Portvliet, Harry Randall or Ben Spencer will start against the All Blacks?
For me, Spencer must be first choice. All six of his caps have come off the bench - one even being in the 2019 World Cup final - but he has played his way into Borthwick’s plans.
The Bath man has plenty of experience - albeit not at Test level - and he has all the attributes to fit into this England side.
He plays at speed, attacks the fringes and he is one of the best when it comes to box-kicking.
He could compliment Marcus Smith, who is expected to start at fly-half, as he does with Finn Russell at Bath in terms of taking over aspects of game management, which would allow Smith to settle into his own way of playing.
Borthwick has always spoken about how he likes to play on club connections, and Lawrence, I’m sure, would love running lines off Spencer like he does week in, week out in the Premiership.
Whilst we know Bortwick is a fan of the tempo JVP and Randall play at - because it has similarities to that of Mitchell - I believe the Bath skipper is the correct selection for England this autumn.
