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- Henry Slade is set to miss out on the start on the Premiership season
- The Exeter and England star underwent shoulder surgery during the summer
Henry Slade will miss the start of the new season with Exeter and is unlikely to be fit for England’s autumn internationals after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The experienced centre enjoyed a fine 2023-24 campaign with club and country after being a shock omission from the national squad for last year’s World Cup.
Slade responded to being dropped by England by being named Premiership player of the year and re-establishing himself once again as a key figure at international level.
His estimated absence for the first three or four months of the 2024-25 season is a big blow for Exeter as well as England.
‘Henry picked up a shoulder injury during the Guinness Six Nations playing for England earlier this year. The joint was stable, so Henry was able to play through the rest of the competition and resume playing with us through to the end of the 2023-24 season,’ said Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter.
Henry Slade will miss the start of the season with Exeter after undergoing shoulder surgery
The experienced centre will also likely miss out on England’s autumn internationals
‘We were aware there was a slight issue, as were England, and it has slightly worsened throughout the summer tour. After having the shoulder re-scanned and checking in with how Henry feels about his shoulder, we’ve made the decision now is the right time to have the operation.
‘Hopefully he can use this down period to complete a strong rehab stint before we get back into rugby. It’s a relatively complex operation which, at this stage, makes it a little difficult to talk about his return to play time. It is likely to be in the three-to-four-month range, so unfortunately he is going to miss a good chunk of the start of the season with us.
‘History has taught us plenty of times Henry is an incredibly good rehabber. He will return very fit, as he’s been on great form for club and country.
‘Although this is unfortunate, we know he’s going to work very hard. I predict he will still have a very big impact on next season both for us and for England.’
Slade started all three of England’s summer tour matches which included a win over Japan in Tokyo and two Tests with New Zealand, both of which ended in narrow defeats.
He had formed a promising midfield combination with Bath’s Ollie Lawrence, but national head coach Steve Borthwick will now have to look at a new option in the No 13 jersey.
England face New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan in November. Northampton’s Tommy Freeman, who Borthwick has used on the wing, could be one option to consider.
Slade has re-established himself as a key player for England (pictured) after shining at Exeter
Steve Borthwick’s side face New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan in November
Borthwick will also be sweating on the fitness of Harlequins prop Joe Marler after he suffered a foot injury in the first Test defeat by New Zealand in Dunedin.
Meanwhile, the RFU have confirmed a second fixture for the England A side in the season to come. They will face an Ireland A outfit at Bristol’s Ashton Gate on Sunday, February 23. Confirmation of the match comes after the announcement of England A facing Australia A in the upcoming autumn international window on November 17 at Twickenham Stoop.
An England A side was reintroduced in February of this year when a junior Red Rose outfit hammered Portugal 91-5.
RFU executive director of performance Conor O’Shea said: ‘Our aim is to have consistent gametime in each international period for our emerging players.’
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