‘Well thought of’ England star primed for contract negotiations as PREM boss outlines possible ‘conflicts that happen’
Exeter Chiefs are set to open contract talks with Henry Slade, with the back on a one-plus-one deal
Exeter Chiefs are set to begin contract negotiations with star centre Henry Slade in the near future, director of rugby Rob Baxter has confirmed.
The 34-year-old back only penned a fresh deal with the Devonians back in February, keeping him at the club for a further season, but he does have an option to extend into the 2027/28 season as well. This also followed an extension in May 2024.
Slade has spent the entirety of his career in the English South West, debuting for the Chiefs in 2012 and making 273 appearances for the club. In that time, he has also become a stalwart within the England set-up, and boasts 77 Test caps at the time of writing.
He is also one of the last members from the ‘golden generation’ of players that steered Exeter to two PREM titles and one Investec Champions Cup still at the club, alongside the likes of Jack Yeandle and Olly Woodburn.
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‘Those discussions will happen’
“He’s got a one-plus-one (deal),” said Baxter. “What we’ll do is start discussing a month or so’s time before the deadline for year two comes into place and talk about what his plans are.
“It’s not a pure out-and-out situation at the moment that he’s off-contract. Those discussions will happen in the coming weeks and months.
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His place in the England squad has only strengthened in recent years, too, and was yet again one of 25 players handed an enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contract, which Baxter feels could also add to his desire to remain in the PREM instead of looking overseas.
“There’s a variety of things that can happen,” added the long-standing DoR. “Henry’s just been awarded an enhanced (Elite Player Squad, EPS) contract with England, so there are lots of reasons for him to stay in this country as he’s clearly well thought of in the England camp.
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“He’s also got a young family who are well established here, he’s playing very well for us and he’s got a good contract. There are lots of reasons for him to take up his second year (at Exeter).
“It will really be down to any conflicts that happen and if any other offers come in that are better than playing for Exeter and staying in England. Some of this is out of my hands, so, we will see how things go over the next few weeks.”
