Tuesday 28 October 2014 15:42, UK
Exeter Chiefs back Henry Slade has revealed teammate Jack Nowell’s success with England gave him confidence that he too could push his way into Stuart Lancaster’s plans.
Slade has been called into England’s training squad for the QBE international Test against New Zealand on November 8 as cover for the injured Luther Burrell.
We have got our heads down and kept working towards it. If he can do it, then hopefully we can as well.
“There are a few of us young boys at Exeter and we have all sort looked at Jack and thought ‘look at what he has done’,” he said, speaking to Sky Sports News HQ.
“He has done really well and fair play to him. We have all looked at that and thought we want a taste of that as well.
“We have got our heads down and kept working towards it. If he can do it, then hopefully we can as well.”
The 21-year-old has been in excellent form for Exeter this season after switching from fly-half to outside centre to accommodate Gareth Steenson.
Slade revealed he is happy to play wherever his coaches want him to as long as it means he is getting time on the pitch.
“I am not bothered where I play, whether it is at 10, 12 or 13 as long as I am getting game time, especially as I am at the start of my career,” he said.
“That is one of the main things for my development – to get game time. The way I am playing at centre is sort of more like a second distributor anyway.
“The start of the season has been pretty good, both individually and for Exeter, so I am happy with how it is going so far.”
With the injury to Burrell and Manu Tuilagi ruled out for the series, Slade may get a chance against the All Blacks if he can impress Lancaster over the next week.
The Exeter man has tried to settle into the England set-up as quickly as possible to make sure he is ready for the chance if it does come.
I am not bothered where I play, whether it is at 10, 12 or 13 as long as I am getting game time, especially as I am at the start of my career.
“It is a massive opportunity,” Slade admitted. “This is my first taste of this kind of environment so I’ve just come in and kept my head and tried not to take too long to get settled in.
“It is pretty cool. You play against these week in and week out and I have watched them when I was younger as well so it is nice to be involved.”
