QUINS' SANDY PARK BOGEY IS SLADE AT LAST

HENRY SLADE came through his audition to face the All Blacks but he could not halt Exeter Chiefs' dismal run.

- ADAM HATHAWAY

The centre, in his first outing of the season, got through 54 minutes after being sent back early in midweek from England's Girona camp for game time.

Slade had shoulder surgery in the summer, but he is so vital to England's blitz defensive system that head coach Steve Borthwick was desperate for him to see some action.

The 31-year-old will rejoin England at their Bagshot base today and has every chance of making the Twickenham clash with New Zealand on Saturday.

Exeter boss Rob Baxter said: "For a guy who has been out as long as he has, he looked pretty good.

"He wasn't faultless, but he is not going to be.

"He got some good game minutes into him without incident or injury.