England: ‘Scented candle’ Henry Slade should be dropped for Bath’s weapons
England centre Henry Slade and an inset of Max Ojomoh.
Ahead of Steve Borthwick’s England squad announcement for the Autumn Nations Series, James While calls for Henry Slade to be cut to make room for two Bath stars.
Change is in the air
When England name their squad for the Autumn Nations Series next Monday, they’ll be the first to admit that competition for places is at its highest level in ages.
Expect to see some big-name omissions and some changes in thinking. Being simply ‘good’ at Test level is not enough, especially when you’re playing for a country with some of the biggest rugby resources in the world, and England’s midfield will become a key point of focus.
Slade has 74 caps and at Test level, he’s had about the same impact as a scented candle. He’s pleasant to look at, faintly fragrant, but utterly incapable of changing the temperature of an international match. England have persisted with him like a superstition, hoping that familiarity might one day turn into form. It hasn’t.
Slade’s left-to-right pass is a liability – notching a dismal 59 per cent completion since 2020, and that’s being generous. Defensively, despite a lot of industry, he’s a system breaker, rushing out of the line like he’s chasing a bus, dog legging the shape, and leaving his inside shoulder exposed like a welcome mat. His tackle technique is passive, his reads are erratic, and his presence in the line creates more problems than it solves. It’s harsh but fair to say that England’s worst defensive moments often begin with Slade stepping out of sync.
You might think this is being brutally critical, but the stats back up every word – he’s been picked for versatility, but versatility without impact is just indecision. He’s played 12, 13, even 15, and never once looked like the best option in any of them. In short, Slade is a Swiss Army knife with no blade – handy in theory, absolutely pointless in practice.
Enter Ojomoh
Bath Rugby’s Max Ojomoh is fast becoming the most complete inside centre in England. He plays flat, fast, and with total control, with crisp distribution, and his defensive positioning is intelligent. He sets the shape, dictates the tempo, and has the potential to give England a midfield axis that actually functions. Bath’s phase play runs through him not because he’s flashy, but because he’s reliable, decisive, and ruthless in execution.
There’s no delay, no wasted movement and bags of intuition. He passes cleanly off both hands, carries with intent, and links forwards and backs with clarity, making others look better simply by being in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing when he gets there.
Ojomoh doesn’t need someone to give him space to operate and that’s because he creates it himself. His timing in attack is precise, his support lines are intelligent, and his ability to manipulate defenders is already at Test level. And despite some wonderful moments this season, he’s much more than just a highlights player; to his credit, symptomatic of a guy under Johann van Graan, he’s a system player and England need systems that work.
Partner in crime
His partner in crime, Ollie Lawrence, is the most destructive 13 in the Premiership. His contact work is brutal, his post-tackle metres are relentless, and his ability to dent defensive lines is unmatched. He carries hard and carries smart and his angles are tight, his footwork compact, and his ability to stay upright through contact gives England a gainline weapon they’ve lacked since Manu Tuilagi’s prime.
Lawrence has matured; his offloading game is clean, his defensive reads are sharp, and his support play is timed to perfection. He’s learned how to use his power with precision but above all, he’s learned how to play within a structure.
No sentiment
England’s midfield has been a museum for too long. Slade has been the curator, polishing his reputation whilst the game passes him by. He’s had chances to own the shirt, to lead the line, to be the man and every time, he’s faded. His supporters talk about his positioning, his experience, his calm, but calm isn’t useful when the game is on fire. England need bite, they need edge and they need players who make defenders panic and attackers believe.
There’s no room for sentiment in Test rugby. You don’t pick players because they’ve been around, you pick players because they make a difference and Ojomoh and Lawrence do precisely that.
Ojomoh’s pass completion is near perfect this season, up at 88%. His tackle success is high, clocking 91% completion in this Prem campaign already. Lawrence leads the league in dominant carries, line breaks, and post-contact metres. These aren’t just throw-away stats, they’re rugby statements and they say loud and clear that England have better options.
The message is loud and clear. England’s midfield should be built around players who dominate collisions, manipulate space, and defend with conviction. Ojomoh and Lawrence tick every box. They are built for the modern game, and they play fast, flat and forward. And they play together week in and week out.
On the other hand, Slade plays like he’s trying not to offend anyone and it’s time to stop waiting for him to deliver. He’s had 74 chances. England cannot afford a 75th.
If Test rugby is a furnace, Ojomoh and Lawrence are forged for it. Slade is still the scented candle on the windowsill. Flickering. Fragrant. Irrelevant.
