I still have big desire to play for England - Slade

Henry Slade's Exeter Chiefs side play Benetton in Sunday's European Challenge Cup quarter-final [Getty Images] Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade says he still has a "big desire" to play for England, despite not featuring for Steve Borthwick's side during the Six Nations. Slade - who signed a new two-year deal with his club in February - won the most recent of his 74 caps against Argentina last November, when he scored the 10th try of his England career. One win from five matches meant that England's men's Six Nations campaign was statistically their worst ever, leaving questions about how the team may be rebuilt before next year's World Cup.

"It was disappointing for both England - in terms of how we finished and some of the results - but also personally disappointing about the non-existent game time," Slade told BBC Radio Devon. "I have got quite a few caps and maybe it is the time in the World Cup cycle where [Borthwick] wants to try out other things, but I'm definitely really, really still wanting to play for England. "I put my best foot forward for Exeter each week to be able to do that.

I've definitely still got the big desire. " Benetton game too soon for returning Chiefs stars Cornish Pirates sign Exeter centre Ascherl on loan Skinner signs new contract with Exeter 'We have learned from tough challenges' Slade's Chiefs side travel to Italy to face Benetton in Sunday's European Challenge Cup quarter-final. The 33-year-old was part of the Exeter side that won the Premiership and the Champions Cup in 2020, although he is yet to win a Challenge Cup.

"We have got a very tough game away in Italy coming up. We are not getting carried away," he said. "We know they are going to stress and stretch us.