Slade given only 10 minutes by Steve Borthwick against Wales Alex Dombrandt and Tom Willis also likely to miss out
Steve Borthwick is set to drop a Rugby World Cup bombshell by leaving Henry Slade out of his final 33-man squad for the forthcoming tournament. The Exeter back is one of several players who appeared in England’s disappointing defeat by Wales expected to be axed by Borthwick with Joe Marchant, their brightest performer in Cardiff, preferred.
Slade’s expected absence comes as a huge surprise given his standing within the squad and as one of English rugby’s most naturally gifted players. He is a former vice-captain, started four Six Nations matches this year and has 56 caps to his name but appeared off the bench in Cardiff for just 10 minutes and it is believed he has been informed by Borthwick that he will not be part of the squad announced on Monday. Instead Borthwick is poised to opt for an extra 19th forward, with only 14 backs selected.
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