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England centre Henry Slade will play for Exeter this weekend in a bid to prove his fitness ahead of the autumn opener against New Zealand on 2 November.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 31-year-old had shoulder surgery over the summer and has yet to feature for his club this season.<\/p>\n
But he will fly back early from England’s training camp in Girona to prepare to face Harlequins in the Premiership on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“He wanted some rugby, we wanted him to get some rugby, so he’s going to get some rugby,” said senior England assistant Richard Wigglesworth.<\/p>\n
Slade, who has been capped 65 times, established himself as one of Steve Borthwick’s key players over the past year, having been a shock omission<\/a> from the Rugby World Cup squad.<\/p>\n He has started all of England’s eight Test matches in 2024, partnering Ollie Lawrence in midfield for the last six.<\/p>\n That centre combination now looks likely to face the All Blacks provided Slade is able to pick up some match sharpness with the Chiefs.<\/p>\n “We’ll see what he looks like in training today [Wednesday], does he get through everything and is he really happy,” Wigglesworth told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n “Same the next couple of days for Exeter, then he plays and we will make a decision Monday or Tuesday.<\/p>\n “It’s missing one training session for us versus going and playing some minutes for Exeter.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Sale fly-half George Ford is nearing a return to full training after a quad injury and remains in contention for next weekend.<\/p>\n “George is at the last stage of his rehabilitation,” Wigglesworth added. “He is probably ahead of schedule and is in a fair bit of rugby this week.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n