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England's Slade eager to face New Zealand after Exeter return / Photo: © AFP/File
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England's Slade eager to face New Zealand after Exeter return
England centre Henry Slade set his sights on playing against New Zealand in next week's November international opener at Twickenham after making a comeback from shoulder surgery on Sunday.
The Exeter midfielder was released early from England's training camp in Girona to make a first appearance since July.
The 31-year-old turned in an encouraging display at Sandy Park, with Slade spending nearly an hour on the field during Exeter's 36-19 English Premiership loss to visitors Harlequins.
"The most important thing was getting back on the pitch and getting into some game scenarios," Slade told TNT Sports.
"You can practice all you want but nothing emulates a game. You have to put yourself in those compromising positions, making tackles -- and with a shoulder that is a big thing. To have some good contacts was a real positive."
England coach Steve Borthwick is due to name his side on Thursday ahead of a November 2 clash with the All Blacks.
"It is an exciting week, a big week for the country," said Slade. "I look forward to putting my best foot forward, and hopefully I am involved (against New Zealand)."
Exeter boss Rob Baxter added: "It was good Henry came through. He was probably the last player we wanted to take off but we had come to a very good agreement with England.
"It was good for England to give him the opportunity to play, and Henry wanted to play, so that worked for both of us. For a guy who has been out as long as he has, he looked pretty good."
Slade, however, was unable to prevent a sixth successive Premiership defeat in one season for the first time since the southwest club secure top-flight status 14 years ago.
They are the only side in the 10-team Premiership yet to win this term, with only bonus points keeping them just above bottom-of-the-table Newcastle.
"The truth is we look a little bit stuck in the headlights," said Baxter. "We have got a lot of manning up and standing up to do."
Quins ran in five tries, with flanker Will Evans scoring twice, despite being without six England squad members.
"We created a lot but weren't quite nailing it, so it probably made it a little bit more nerve-wracking towards the end than we needed to," said Quins attack coach Nick Evans.
D. Wassiljew--BTZ
