England centre Henry Slade has finally put pen to paper on a contract extension to remain at Exeter Chiefs, despite significant interest from overseas.
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He’d looked almost certain to be leaving Sandy Park to join the recent exodus from the club and the Premiership across the Channel and move to the Top 14 when Steve Borthwick left him out of his World Cup squad.
According to Neil Fissler’s report for Rugby Pass, the 31-year-old has finally agreed to a new deal, which was in no small part influenced by his England recall during the 2024 Six Nations, starting all five games.
The new deal is though to be a one-year extension with an option for another if both parties feel appropriate at the end of the 2024/25 Premiership season.
Slade made his senior international debut against France at Twickenham before earning a spot in England’s Rugby World Cup 2015 squad. However, he only featured in their final game against Uruguay, scoring a try.
Further caps followed for the versatile back: Fiji and Argentina in November 2016, and a Six Nations outing against Italy in February 2017. Slade impressed on tour to Argentina in the summer of 2017, starting both matches, and faced the same opposition in the autumn internationals, claiming his second try against Samoa.
In 2018 he was called up again to the summer tour where he started all three matches against South Africa, and again in early 2019, for all of England’s Six Nations fixtures.
He recovered from injury to make the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad and came off the bench in the final against South Africa.
Wayne Barnes doesn’t hesitate when naming the best rugby captain he ever refereed
During a 2021 Q&A with Teddington Nub News, the famous whistleblower name checked three of the best skippers he’d refereed in his career up until that point.
#3. John Smit (South Africa)
A rugby legend hailing from South Africa, John Smit is renowned for his towering presence on the field and exceptional leadership skills. Born on April 3, 1978, Smit’s illustrious career as a hooker saw him captaining the Springboks to victory in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
With 111 caps for his country, he’s revered for his strength, agility, and strategic acumen. Beyond rugby, Smit is a respected figure in sports administration, having served as CEO of the Sharks rugby team and played a pivotal role in the development of rugby in South Africa.
