3. Henry Slade – Exeter Chiefs
After missing out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad, Henry Slade looks to have made it his undeniable mission to regain his spot in the England squad. Not missing a beat from the return of the Gallagher Premiership, Slade has been in simply inspired form as the new-look Exeter Chiefs side outperformed expectations, with many memorable triumphs across the Premiership and European competitions.
This season, Slade has kicked the Chiefs to last-ditch wins against Gloucester and Toulon, with Glasgow Warriors now added to the list. After trailing for the majority of the match, Slade stepped up to convert Zach Wimbush’s match winning try. With all the controversy of Glasgow’s following disallowed try put to one side, Slade clawed his side ahead for the 19-17 win, having been a leading performer on the pitch for duration of the match. The centre’s classy playmaking was out in full force, and he presented a resilient defensive backbone to match Sione Tuipulotu down the centre channel.
Steve Borthwick will have a new-look midfield for the 2024 Six Nations, with Slade looking like the front-runner to take the 13 jersey. With Marchant in France and Tuilagi once again injured, Borthwick will likely utilise the Chiefs man, who had yet another strong outing on the weekend. Arguably the bookies favourite England ‘hopeful’ to make a return to the squad, Slade has been reminding England fans what they’ve been missing, with consistent stand-out performances down in Devon.
4. Oscar Beard – Harlequins
A late arrival in the run-up to the England squad announcement, Harlequins back Oscar Beard staked his claim for a last-minute look-in, as the Londoners made light work of Cardiff. Running out at centre for this clash in the Welsh capital, Beard scored a tide-turning try and set-up another score at Cardiff Arms Park.
Beard’s stunning solo run saw him collect the ball just inside the Cardiff 10m, and navigate his way through a slaloming sea of blue and black shirts. A quick turn of pace, coupled with a powering drive over Tinus de Beer, took Beard to the line, with the try awarded after a TMO review of the grounding. The 22-year-old has been plying his trade at Championship club London Scottish when he’s not been picked for Quins, and presented his skillsets to the Cardiff capacity crowd yesterday afternoon.
Beard’s try assist was equally as impressive, as he presented great awareness to pop the offload away in contact. After taking the ball on at pace, the centre was halted by de Beer, yet shipped the ball off to Tyrone Green. The full-back was played through a gap in the Cardiff defence, and showed the back-peddling defenders a clean pair of studs on his way through to the try line. Beard may not be on the immediate England radar come the 2024 Six Nations, yet this performance has certainly raised his stock for a run in the England ‘A’ set-up, that will take on Portugal at the end of February.