Exeter Chiefs centre Slade and his partner Megan are expecting their first child in 12 weeks, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has just had his first and winger Jack Nowell is expecting his second.
Slade says: “Before the lockdown myself and other guys like Luke and Jack Nowell were saying how we’d always been the younger lads of the team, but now only a few guys at the club have been around for longer.”
“The baby will bring a new dimension to my life – but I don’t want to be seen as an old boy!”
Slade, 27, also knows he will miss another of those older players, his longstanding Chiefs midfield comrade Sam Hill, below.
Slade adds: “It’s going to be a strange time with many players changing sides and I’m sorry to see Sam go to Sale. I played against him since I was ten and played with him since we were 14 or 15, so that’s been a long stint with one of my closest mates.”
Looking further head, Slade is convinced England’s potent mix of strength-in-depth and a drive for constant improvement will see Eddie Jones’ side eventually conquer the world.
Having twice suffered World Cup heartbreak in 2015 and 2019, gifted Exeter midfielder Slade is determined to be around to make it third time lucky at France 2023.
Denne historien er fra May 17, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 17, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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All my energy is going into Beziers
IT’S a dream to be a part-share owner of AS Beziers Hérault, the 11-time French champions, along with Andrew Mehrtens and Bobby Skinstad.
Fylde left to count cost of the cards
LEEDS TYKES were thankful for their resolute defence as they clung on to claim a narrow win against Fylde.
O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings
EXETER University flyhalf Lewis O’Grady is enjoying the physicality of National 2 West and insists it is the best preparation for his transition to senior rugby after graduation.
It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham
PROUD Bristolian Hollie Cunningham hopes to inspire the next generation of Bears players and can’t see herself ever playing for anyone else.
Bristol hit heights to take down champions
BRISTOL Bears head coach Dave Ward could not hide his delight following an impressive victory over reigning PWR champions Gloucester Hartpury at Kingsholm.
Good to see the Eagles soaring again
THAT’S a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would be remiss not to scroll through the undercard and round up the best of the action outside of the A list matches. A quick crib sheet for those not paying attention at the back.
Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash
FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe.
My body is telling me to quit, saysEvans
WALES are about to be hit by another loss despite spending the final weekend of the autumn series all washed up with nobody to play.
Vermeulen excited to visit old friends
EXETER start their Champions Cup campaign away in South Africa on Saturday, but Jacques Vermeulen will feel very much at home.
Scotland deserve fair share of Lions
WE MAY be exaggerating here, but not by much: since the wonderful Tom Smith made the last of his half-dozen consecutive international appearances in the red jersey of his dreams, as opposed to the blue one, it has been easier to spot a Twickenham chief executive in a food bank than clap eyes on a Test Lion from Scotland.
