Exeter boss Rob Baxter backs decision to leave Henry Slade out of England squad

Exeter centre Slade had surgery on his shoulder in the summer but has started the season strongly

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter felt Henry Slade’s (pictured) England omission was a ‘sensible decision’ (Steve Haag/PA) (PA Archive)

Henry Slade has been left “disappointed” by his surprise England omission but club boss Rob Baxter admits it is a sensible decision by Eddie Jones.

Exeter centre Slade was this week left out of England’s 36-man group that will face Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa next month.

The 29-year-old was also absent for the tour to Australia in July but that was due to a shoulder injury, which appeared to be behind the versatile back after he had surgery in the summer.

However, Exeter director of rugby Baxter said: “Henry had a very limited pre-season but was only just back into kind of playing as the season started so without doubt is not quite on touch and on the form he would like to be in. I kind of think it is one of those sensible decisions.

“He has kind of been left to get on and play some rugby, which is probably the most important thing for him.

“I think in lots of ways it seems a sensible decision to me.

“Henry is disappointed, he is bound to be because he wants to play for England and be involved in these big games. But the truth is he also understands you have to get on, play well and drive your club form, which is something he is very determined to do.”

Slade will get the chance to prove Jones wrong when Saracens visit Sandy Park on Saturday in the pick of this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership action.

Exeter and Sarries have a long-standing rivalry with the pair meeting in the play-offs for four consecutive seasons, which saw the London club win three Premiership titles and Baxter’s men triumph on one occasion on their way to a maiden top flight crown in 2017.

Saracens were subsequently punished and relegated for repeated salary cap breaches during that period, which only served to drive up the intense feeling between the clubs.

Baxter was happy to talk up the fixture during his preview press conference, and said: “Definitely it is one of those our supporters look forward to and no doubt their supporters look forward to.

“Obviously there is a bit of history there with finals and the salary cap stuff. That just makes it exciting and that is what you want.

“In the Premiership you want games with a bit of edge, with a bit of history and something to them. These are the games you really want to promote and make sure they become really big spectacles that people want to watch.

“This is hopefully what the Premiership will be about and what people will be talking about this weekend, not the things that have happened over the last couple of weeks (with Wasps and Worcester).”