Moody backs Chief Slade

Henry Slade is yet to make his full international debut, but Lewis Moody believes the fly-half could be England’s X-factor at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

George Ford and Owen Farrell seem entrenched as England’s top two choices for the number 10 jersey but if head coach Stuart Lancaster decides to take a third fly-half, Slade could be that man.

The 22-year-old Plymothian is currently part of Lancaster’s pre-World Cup training camp after an impressive Premiership season for Exeter Chiefs and has a real chance to be named in the final 31-man squad for this year’s big tournament.

Slade only made his Premiership debut in April 2013 but went on to make 22 league appearances for Chiefs last term, scoring seven tries as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs on the final day.

With his consistently strong displays at club level, Moody, who lifted the World Cup with England in 2003, insists Slade could lead a strong Chiefs contingent into the tournament this year.

“The fact that the starting XV isn’t set in stone is why I’m excited about the likes of Henry Slade being involved,” said Moody, who was speaking at the Land Rover Experience Centre in Devon as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.

“Exeter have got a number of players involved internationally, like Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Slade. “All of them are good enough in their own right to be playing in that World Cup 31. So it’s an exciting time.”

Moody added: “I’d really like Slade to be given an opportunity – I think there is a place for him in that side.

“I wish he was given a bit of time on the pitch during the Six Nations or in the autumn and I definitely think he should be in over someone like Cipriani. I think he can light it up.”

Before England start their campaign to win a second World Cup against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18, they face warm-up games against France and Ireland.



Those matches should not only provide clarification as to Lancaster’s best starting XV but will also hopefully signal an upturn in form with the Red Rose having lost six of their last 12 internationals.

That form stands in stark contrast to the 2003 World Cup triumph, when the final was the culmination of 20 months of dominance – during which time England won 22 games and lost just once.

Moody believes it is vital Lancaster’s troops hit their straps in the warm-up games.

“Touch wood everybody will stay fit, Stuart will know his starting XV going into that last friendly and they’ll head into the World Cup with real confidence having won three friendlies,” said Moody.

“But if they lose some of those warm-ups, and playing against France and Ireland is tough, that could really hurt them. Those friendlies are hugely important.”

LEWIS MOODY is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 and is recruiting all 96 official mascots for the tournament as part of its We Deal In Real campaign. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal