Slade relishing Saints test

By Mark Stevens
26/9/2016

Henry Slade says he cannot wait to get stuck into rivals Northampton Saints on Friday night as Exeter Chiefs look to clock up a third successive win in the Aviva Premiership.

Having kicked off the season with back-to-back defeats against Wasps and Saracens, the Chiefs have hit back in some style, posting victories against Harlequins and newly-promoted Bristol in the past fortnight.

Now, 23-year-old Slade and his team-mates are looking to build on those recent successes, by claiming the prized scalp of the Saints on their own turf.

"We know they are a top side, but I’m looking forward to getting stuck into them,” said Slade. "The Gardens is a tough place to go, but we went there a couple of years ago on a Friday night and won, so hopefully we can do the same again.”

Certainly Rob Baxter’s side will travel in bullish mood, particularly having picked up their first away win of the season with a 41-17 win against Bristol last time out.

"We spoke in the changing room about how to get two wins on the bounce is great, but three really bumps you up the table,” continued the England international. "Three on the trot is a hard thing to do in the Premiership and not many teams do it."

However, Devon’s finest appear to be hitting form after a tough opening and Slade believes the Chiefs will head to the East Midlands looking to build on the positives of recent weeks.

"We have bounced back really well and I think it shows the resolve in the squad how we have managed to do that and hopefully we can keep pushing on," said Slade.

"It was awesome. It is five points away from home and whoever you are playing against, that is one hell of an achievement.

"We are pleased with what we are doing in training and taking it out onto the pitch and it was a good result."

"We weren't getting too carried away with those losses." he continued. "They were two tough games – away to Wasps and at home to Sarries. They are fine margins and a couple of moments made the momentum swing in those games.

"We are just really pleased to have five points away from home to build on the previous week."

And Slade insists it’s the collective effort being shown by the whole Exeter squad that is helping to drive up standards.

"We have got some awesome boys here. The forwards are doing well getting us on the front foot and we have got some good gas men out wide,” he added. "We've pretty much got most boxes ticked at the moment whichever combination we play at the moment and I am just really enjoying playing in it right now."