Versatile Henry Slade is ready to mash the monsters

Henry Slade insists taking on world rugby‘s midfield monsters would not faze him, with the versatile England back saying he would relish the opportunity of toppling the likes of Jamie Roberts, Tevita Kuridrani and Ma’a Nonu at the World Cup.
Slade, a fly-half by trade, spent much of last season occupying the outside-centre shirt for Exeter, where his brave, tough-tackling performances impressed the England selectors and now make him a strong candidate for the final 31-man squad.
Tackling the giants holds no fears for Slade, who told The Rugby Paper: “Roberts, Kuridrani and Nonu are big guys but throughout last season at Exeter we came up against some pretty tough midfielders and, individually and collectively, dealt with them.
“At the start of the season, when I was still pretty new to the 13 position, we played Leicester who had Manu Tuilagi playing. He’s one of the most daunting tests in rugby, but Sam Hill and I kept him quiet, so I’d be confident against the others.
“I think that was only my second game at 13, but as soon as the whistle goes you get straight into it and I’m not one for shying away from things.
“I played two-thirds of last season at 13 and I’m used to it now. It’s the most time I’ve spent outside the No.10 shirt, but it was good because it gave me a perspective from a bit further out wide and was great for learning the game.”
While Slade’s versatility, allied to his excellent left-footed kicking game, already puts him in pole position, the fact he came through the England age grades and was an U20s World Cup winner in 2013 could also work strongly in his favour. Slade agrees, explaining: “Coming through the 18s and 20s does familiarise you with the set-up and when you’re away for periods of time it helps to know what to expect. When you come into these long camps any experience you have is massive.
“There’s a lot of us in the squad who’ve come through the U20s at some point in their careers and the English system appears to be working well.
“It contrasts to France, where they buy in a lot of players, but it’s a good route and I hope we stick to it.”
Slade’s earliest World Cup memory is of 2003. Now he is desperate for his own chance of creating history, adding: “I really want to play in a World Cup and it doesn’t faze me. It’s exciting, and to have the potential of doing that is really pleasing.
“Obviously I’ve got to get my head down and work hard, but if I was to get in the squad it would be awesome.”
NEALE HARVEY