Whilst the British and Irish Lions are preparing to go into battle with the world champions New Zealand over the next month, the individual home nations – without many of their key men – are also in action, taking on some other teams that are not involved in the summer’s main event.
Ireland, Scotland and Wales are facing the likes of Tonga, Samoa, Japan and Australia, whilst England are embarking on a difficult test against the ever-improving Argentina in a two-match series, the first of which was an entertaining clash that ended 38-34 in the favour of Eddie Jones’ side, despite them missing many of their star men.
One of the stars of Jones’ side during that victory in Argentina was Henry Slade – who entered the test series following Exeter Chiefs’ Aviva Premiership title – with the back putting in an exceptional performance at outside centre during the first test in San Juan.
Slade has been on the fringes of the England squad for some time now, but he has never been given a regular place in the matchday squad under Jones, with much competition for places across the midfield. However, with Owen Farrell, Ben Te’o and Jonathan Joseph touring with the Lions, the 24-year old was given a chance in the number 13 shirt, featuring in a midfield that contained George Ford at fly-half and Alex Lozowski at inside centre.
Marland Yarde, Jonny May and debutant Denny Solomona stole the show with their try-scoring exploits, but Slade’s creativity from centre, particularly when setting up May’s try, will have given Jones a selection headache ahead of England’s autumn internationals and Six Nations campaign, where the Red Rose are 4/5 favourites with 888sport to clinch a third title in a row.
Ford and Farrell have given Jones an excellent axis at 10 and 12, whilst Joseph is undoubtedly a shoo-in for the outside-centre berth, particularly with Manu Tuilagi’s long-term absence from the playing field. However, with Farrell featuring predominantly at inside centre for his country, yet shining for Saracens in his natural fly-half position, there is every chance Jones may be forced to move the 25-year-old back to outside-half, especially after a number of impressive performances in the number ten shirt while away with the Lions.
Should Jones move Farrell back into the halves, it will leave him with another decision to make at inside centre, with the option of either reverting to the powerful Te’o, or going like-for-like by picking a creative axis to play at 12 – a role that Slade has the potential to fill, with the Chiefs man offering Jones versatility with his ability to play anywhere across the midfield.
It is hard to see Jones deviating from his Ford and Farrell axis for the autumn internationals, but Slade’s versatility will see him involved in England squads. However, if the Chiefs back can continue to impress in Argentina, whilst others are touring with the Lions, he may find himself becoming more involved in the England set up heading into 2018.
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