Exeter can cope with the loss of Slade, says Baxter - Ruck
Rugby News

Exeter can cope with the loss of Slade, says Baxter

9 December 2015
Rugby Rucker
  • Exeter will be able to cope without injured Henry Slade, says Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter
  • Slade is out for at least four months after breaking his leg at Wasps.
England centre Henry Slade will miss the entire Six Nations championship after suffering a broken leg that will rule him out of action for four months.

However, Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter is confident that there are a number of players ready to step in and fill the void.

COVENTRY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs is stretched off during the Aviva Premiership match between Wasps and Exeter Chiefs at the Ricoh Arena on December 4, 2015 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
COVENTRY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs is stretched off during the Aviva Premiership match between Wasps and Exeter Chiefs at the Ricoh Arena on December 4, 2015 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Ian Whitten and Sam Hill have been fighting it out for one centre spot really, now they’re going to get to fight it out for two,” Baxter said.

“We’ve got another international centre in Michele Campagnaro waiting in the wings, Jack Nowell’s an international player who can play at centre.”

Whitten, who joined Exeter in 2012, has won two Ireland caps while Hill has come up through Exeter’s celebrated academy set-up and has won one cap for the England Saxons at the age of 22.

“Sam Hill in the media is portrayed as a bit of a straight up the middle type of centre, but actually when you watch the quality of his passing he’s got good skills in that department,” Baxter said.

“Ian Whitten is a better all-round player than he gets credit for, I think often what you find is that when Henry’s in the team those other two lads are filling a certain role and so as a combination they get different things.

“I’m not unduly concerned with the changes we have to make, they bring different strengths and characteristics.

“Are they as good kickers with the distance Henry can put on the ball? No, but then there are only one or two players in the Premiership who can kick a ball like Henry Slade.”