We'll be better by World Cup - Slade

ENGLAND may have endured another underwhelming Six Nations, losing more matches than they won for the third successive year, but Henry Slade believes they will be a different proposition in the World Cup this autumn.

- PAUL REES

Exeter centre Slade missed the opening game against Scotland but started the next four under new head coach Steve Borthwick and, at the age of 30 and armed with 56 caps, he has become one of the leaders in the group.

“It was a frustrating Six Nations in terms of results,” he said, “but I do not think we were far away in a number of things. The game against Scotland was close and we would have been in good shape if we had won.

“The French game was disappointing and we were nowhere near where we wanted to be as a squad. We then showed real promise and belief in Ireland and played well. Given the little amount of time we had together, I thought the boys adapted well.

“The coaches, who I thought were fantastic, brought in a number of different things and we implemented a lot of them. I feel confident that we will keep growing as a side and hope to be selected in the World Cup squad.”

Slade is aiming for his third World Cup after appearing in the 2015 tournament a couple of months after making his Test debut and then coming off the bench in the 2019 final against South Africa.