Slade suffers Six Nations setback

By Mark Stevens
30/12/19

Rob Baxter says he is unsure whether or not Exeter Chiefs star Henry Slade will be fit for the start of England’s Six Nations campaign.

Speaking following his side’s 14-7 victory at home to Saracens, Baxter confirmed the 26-year-old back would need a recovery period after fracturing his fibia during the first half of the recent Gallagher Premiership victory away to Leicester Tigers.

"Henry has a small fracture to his ankle around the site of the plate he had put in a couple of seasons ago when he fractured it at Wasps," Baxter said.

"The prognosis of anything like that is six to eight weeks of healing time. There's no information at this stage that says it will be quicker or slower than six to eight weeks.

"It's not for me to say for which game exactly he'll be back because things can shorten up considerably towards the end of rehab time or they can relapse at the end, so it's impossible for me to say."

Slade has played 27 Tests for England since making his debut in August 2015 and was part of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup campaigns.