Slade delighted to be back on track

By Mark Stevens
17/3/2016

Henry Slade has expressed his gratitude to Exeter Chiefs' medical staff following his shock return to action last Saturday.

The 22-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Rob Baxter's starting XV for the hard-fought 32-17 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Sandy Park.

The England international was playing for the first time since breaking a leg and damaging ankle ligaments on December 5 in the away win over Wasps.

It was widely expected that Slade would take roughly four months to return from such a serious injury, but he revealed that plenty of hard work behind the scenes had made his early return possible.

"It's been a slog and a lot of hard work from the medical team, the conditioners and the other boys, but it is great to be back," said Slade. "I had a few nerves but I have gone through all of the return to contact and return to play stuff with the physios so I have put myself back in the situations that I could have encountered in the match.

"There were quite a few of us with long-term injuries at around a similar time and to have those boys in there with you lifts your spirits and carries you through. When you are having a down day, someone else might not be and they help you through it and vice versa too.

"I didn't realise that I would be playing 75 minutes but it was awesome to be back out with the boys."