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Henry Slade: The Veteran Spark in England’s Centre Picture
With England currently sitting third in the world rankings, the spotlight on midfield options has never been brighter as Steve Borthwick’s men prepare for a tough November autumn international series. Among the contenders, Henry Slade remains a compelling (and sometimes underrated) figure, the seasoned campaigner who could provide both stability and creativity in a shifting midfield puzzle, as 2026
Slade has long been one of England’s most reliable centres, but his 2025 season has felt like a renaissance. In a timely show for his club, he lit up a 38–0 thrashing of Harlequins for Exeter, scoring 23 points (two tries, a penalty, and conversions) just ahead of the autumn Tests.
His inclusion in the 36-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series underlines how much Borthwick still trusts him: despite a revolving door of midfield selections, which we will review later, Henry Slade brings a sense of calm, experience, and real X-factor.
That said, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. He missed the summer tour through injury, sidelined after a hand injury during the Argentina Tests. However, he only managed to start 1 test match this autumn, being against Argentina as there’s been a handful of midfield partnerships deployed in recent weeks.
After speaking with the Exeter Chiefs man, Slade provided an insight into the training routine for England, being able to work with the legendary Jonny Wilkinson, alongside the current crop of England Kicking Contingent.
“Everyone within the England set up are fantastic kickers, we always give each other our bits of advice. Each week, Jonny Wilkinson, the GOAT comes into camp, Tuesdays and Thursdays, so to learn off him is amazing”
England’s centre options read like a textbook in high-stakes selection headaches. Here’s a rough breakdown of the main candidates and what they bring — plus a dash of cheeky debate.
Max Ojomoh – He’s just been thrown into the deep end, starting at 12 against Argentina after Fraser Dingwall pulled out with a side strain. He’s stylish, quick, and creative (“elite-level attacker,” says defense coach Richard Wigglesworth), but he’s still only on his second cap. Exciting prospect.
Fraser Dingwall – The dependable No. 12: solid, composed, and tactically astute. He’d been forming a promising midfield partnership with Ollie Lawrence earlier this autumn. But as luck would have it, injury has struck again, meaning he was out of the Argentina game.
Ollie Lawrence – When healthy, he’s arguably England’s go-to at 13. His return from Achilles injury was a big deal, but unfortunately he now faces a hamstring issue. That means the Lawrence–Dingwall combo, once considered the settled midfield, isn’t solidified and potentially won’t always be available, opening the door for Slade.
Tommy Freeman and others (Luke Northmore, Oscar Beard) also provide depth, but for now, Slade, Ojomoh, Dingwall, and Lawrence remain the core of discussion.
So where does Slade fit in? With Lawrence and Dingwall both injured for the Argentina clash, Borthwick has opted for experience: Slade partnered Ojomoh, forming England’s seventh different centre pairing of 2025. Mind you, that offload from Ojomah to set up Slade for his try was a pretty picture in itself.
Here’s where the bar-room debate really kicks off. Some possible (hypothetical) combinations:
Dingwall (12) + Lawrence (13) — This could be the long-term base: the work rate and decision-making from Dingwall combined with Lawrence’s physicality and strike. But injuries make this unreliable.
Slade (13) + Ojomoh (12) — This is the pick Borthwick has gone for in the current patch. It blends Slade’s guile and vision with Ojomoh’s attacking flair. If Ojomoh keeps growing on this trajectory, this could become a very exciting combo.
Slade (12) + Lawrence (13) — A left-field option, after Steve Borthwick has looked to move away from this, as Slade slides inside for that playmaking role, while Lawrence retains his destructive presence on the outside.
All three have merits. The “right” choice might depend on who’s fit, what kind of game England want to play, and whether they prioritise guile or raw power in midfield.
Ah yes, Owen Farrell, the ever-present topic in England midfield debates. No, I'm not sorry for mentioning him once again.
Farrell has not featured for England since the 2023 World Cup.He is now back at Saracens after a season in France’s Top 14, making him newly eligible under RFU policy (which requires England players to be in the Premiership). Despite this, he was left out of the autumn training squad, suggesting Borthwick may be steering things away from him at least for now.
Farrell himself says he’s “not retired” from England selection. Some speculate his route back might be gradual, possibly via midfield (inside centre) rather than at fly-half, to bring leadership, experience, and a strategic brain into the 2026 setup.
Will he make it into the 2026 squad?
It’s possible, but not guaranteed. He needs to prove form, consistency, and that he still fits into Borthwick’s evolving vision. If he does, he could be a wildcard that adds real value: a veteran presence, a kicker, and a smart operator in midfield.
Slade remains an invaluable asset. At 32, he’s not just a relic, he’s a key glue player.
Ojomoh is an exciting talent, but pairing him with Slade may be more than just a stop-gap, it could become a long-term plan.
Dingwall and Lawrence might be ideal in theory, but injuries are frustrating any consistent combo.
Farrell’s return would be headline-grabbing, but his inclusion should hinge on more than just name; England need to work out whether he helps build for 2026 (or beyond).
If I had to pick a starting midfield for November in the current context: Lawrence (13) + Slade (12) feels like the most balanced, and potentially dangerous pairing, especially with Borthwick preferring a mix of experience and spark. However, we have to wait until February to see England line up, and the midfield battle will be one hotly discussed debate to watch out for.
At 3rd in the world, England can’t afford major missteps in midfield. Slade might not always be the flashiest option, but he could well be the quintessential fulcrum this team needs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DReNIchDIKH/ - Henry Slade on Competition for places and Working with Jonny Wilkinson.