French keep an eye on Slade and Simmonds
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Henry Slade of England fails to ground the ball as he attempts to score a try during the Summer International Friendly match between England and Canada at Twickenham Stadium on July 10, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
HENRY Slade's name is appearing on the long term shopping lists of several French clubs that are also keeping tabs on the international future of Sam Simmonds.
The pair are under contract to the Chiefs for the next couple of seasons, but it's not stopping French sides from taking a look and considering where they can fit into plans.
Toulon are understood to be the Top 14 outfit that are taking the most interest in Slade, 28, who joined the Chiefs a decade ago from his hometown club Plymouth Albion.
The outside centre who appeared for England at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups has won 40 caps for Eddie Jones' side and scored seven tries, and last season was one of his first-choice selections. Slade, a Premiership and Champions Cup double winner with the Chiefs, won't be moving across the English Channel in the short term but is a long-term target for the French.
Blindside understands that there is genuine interest in Lions cap Simmonds, who topped the Premiership's try-scoring charts last season and was the competition's Player of the Season.
Toulon are also looking at Simmonds as a potential replacement for Sergio Parisse and could make a move even though he is under contract if Jones continues to ignore the Devonian.
Simmonds hasn't played for England since 2018 despite his record-breaking campaign for the Chiefs last time around.
BY NEIL FISSLER
