Baxter backing Slade to adapt to changes

EXETER are confident that the decision to change their defensive system will not jeopardise Henry Slade's place in the England side.

- PAUL REES

Slade has led England's defence since the start of the year as it was almost identical to Exeter's system.

But both have changed their defence coaches since the summer. At national level Joe El-Abd has replaced Felix Jones, who handed in his notice after the summer tour to New Zealand, while the Chiefs recently parted company with Omar Mouneimne.

"The role Henry will play in our system will not change," said Rob Baxter, Exeter's director of rugby, right.

"We are not looking at the rush defence but other elements I felt left us vulnerable and which sometimes hampered Henry. The role he has with us and with England will not change." Baxter made the decision to tweak his management team after the Chiefs lost their first six Premiership matches of the campaign to leave them one off the bottom.

Haydn Thomas, far right, has taken over from Mouneimne, right.

"Omar has a system he believes in and it has some real strengths," said Baxter.