England’s Henry Slade set to miss Six Nations

Less than two months out from the Calcutta Cup clash on the opening weekend of the 2016 RBS Six Nations Championship, England have suffered an injury blow as highly rated Exeter centre Henry Slade underwent  surgery yesterday on a suspected broken leg.

The 22-year-old was forced off with 15 minutes remaining in his club’s 41-27 win over Wasps at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, and Exeter coach Rob Baxter revealed after the game that it was a serious injury. Slade now looks set to be ruled out of the Six Nations plans of new England coach Eddie Jones. Baxter said a more detailed assessment of the player’s condition will be made following the operation.

Slade has only played twice for England – in the World Cup warm-up against France and the final match of the hosts’ ill-fated campaign against Uruguay – but he has been tipped as one of the young talents expected to be given a run by Jones.

Northampton prop Alex Corbisiero will also miss the Six Nations as he faces a fresh operation on a knee problem which is threatening his career. A star of the 2013 Lions tour, Corbisiero has not started for England since 2012.

Scotland host England at BT Murrayfield on Saturday 6 February in what will be Jones’ first game in charge.