Centre Henry Slade has been recalled to the England starting line-up to face Fiji on Saturday as head coach Steve Borthwick attempts to avoid a sixth successive Test defeat. Slade, who did not play a minute of England’s Six Nations campaign earlier this year, will feature as England aim to reverse their recent run of results.
The 33-year-old had previously admitted to feeling frustrated regarding his omission from England’s midfield considerations. Despite this, he finished the domestic season in excellent form, playing a pivotal role in leading Exeter to the Premiership final.
Speaking on his return, Slade stated, “You can’t control selection – I’ve always gone back to that over the last few years. You just have to control the controllables, whether that’s in the gym, on the training pitch, and, if you get picked at the weekend at your club, doing well and putting yourself up for selection. That’s what I’ve been trying to do and thankfully I have got a shot this week.”
Slade’s Test Career Trajectory
Slade, who will earn his 76th cap at the weekend, has acknowledged that he has learned to maintain perspective regarding Test selection since making his debut in August 2015. His career has seen moments of battling for inclusion, including a late surge of form to be included in England’s squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
However, he only started one game at the 2019 tournament, despite having previously been coach Eddie Jones’ first-choice outside centre. More recently, Slade was a shock omission from Borthwick’s squad for France 2023.
“It’s not always been plain sailing in my career,” Slade added. “I’ve had to come back and fight my way back in. So I guess I’ve had a bit of practice at it, which has maybe helped.”
Team Changes and New Faces
Slade’s return means Northampton’s Tommy Freeman will be deployed in his more accustomed wing position. This shift follows a year-long experiment aimed at converting Freeman into an outside centre. In another change to the starting XV, Guy Pepper replaces Tom Curry at open-side flanker.
The match also presents an opportunity for uncapped players, with Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori, and George Kloska poised to make their Test debuts off the bench.
The England starting line-up is as follows: M Smith; Freeman, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Heyes, Coles, Martin, Chessum, Pepper, Earl.
Replacements include: Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Kloska, Curry, Pollock, Mitchell, Janse van Rensburg, Caluori.
Reflecting on Recent Form
Slade was a late call-up to the matchday 23 that faced South Africa last Saturday, taking a spot on the bench after starting full-back George Furbank was affected by appendicitis. He replaced injured wing Cadan Murley on 54 minutes in England’s 45-21 defeat by the Springboks.
England finished that match with the same backline they have named to start against Fiji. Head coach Steve Borthwick commented on the team’s preparations, stating, “We’ve had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training.” Borthwick also acknowledged the challenge ahead, adding, “We know Fiji will provide a tough challenge. They are a dangerous side who will demand the very best from us.”
The defeat by South Africa follows a dismal Six Nations campaign, adding to the pressure on England to perform against Fiji.