Henry Slade is targeting an early return from shoulder surgery in an effort to play a key role in England’s autumn internationals and wants Steve Borthwick to stick with the ultra aggressive blitz defence system despite Felix Jones’s impending departure.
Slade, one of England’s vice-captains, has emerged as a defensive leader since Jones’s arrival, having been overlooked by Borthwick for last year’s World Cup. Jones’s blitz system is similar to that employed at Exeter and, as outside centre, Slade arguably has the most important role.
