Slade back in the starting line-up for England

Exeter Chiefs’ Henry Slade will return to the England starting line-up at outside centre with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing to take on Fiji at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on Saturday (KO 14:10).

The last time Slade started for England against Argentina in 2025. For Chiefs fans, his selection will be viewed as well-deserved after a commanding season for the club.

Slade said: “It’s nice to be back in the shirt. I’m always very proud to wear the rose and to represent your country and your family. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in at the weekend.

“Obviously, I’m playing with Manny as well, which is cool. I’m disappointed for Greg that he’s not in this time, but I’m sure there be an opportunity for him next week or down the line because he is an incredible player.

“It’s been really cool to be able to share the field with those boys and be back in the shirt. Really excited for the opportunity.”

Fellow Chiefs players and coaches have celebrated the 33-year-old’s recall to the England fold.

Exeter Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Both myself and all the other coaches have already been messaging each other, and I know all the players here at Sandy Park are delighted for Henry. These last couple of seasons, he has worked so hard and played so well for the club and showed such good qualities in a situation where not getting those international starts or involvement he wanted has been frustrating.

“What has he done? He has got his head down, he’s worked hard and done the things we ask the players to do at the start of every season. If you are a good player in a good team that has been successful, you give yourself the opportunity to play for your country. Henry has really embodied that in all his performances this season.

“I am so delighted he has been rewarded with the opportunity to start for England again having done exactly what we asked for which was to be a good player in a good team. You take those opportunities for yourself, so I do not think anybody has worked harder for it than Henry in the last 12 months.”

ENGLAND

15 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 51 caps)
14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 28 caps)
13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 75 caps)
12 Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 5 caps)
11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)
10 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 81 caps) – vice-captain
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 111 caps) – captain
3 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
4 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 20 caps)
5 George Martin (Saracens, 22 caps)
6 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps) – vice-captain
7 Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
8 Ben Earl (Saracens, 52 caps)

Replacements:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 59 caps)
17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)
18 George Kloska (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
19 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 69 caps)
20 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
21 Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 31 caps)
22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
23 Noah Caluori (Saracens, uncapped)