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In-form centre stars for Exeter to stake claim for England berth

football25 October 2025 19:07| © AFP
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Henry Slade © Getty Images

Henry Slade made his case to feature for England against Australia next weekend with a superb display as Exeter thrashed struggling Gloucester 39-12 in the English league on Saturday.

Slade stole the show with 22 points to add to the 23 he produced in the recent rout of Harlequins.

The in-form centre scored two tries, kicked three conversions and booted two penalties in the rout.

Marcus Smith also warmed up for England duty with an influential display as Harlequins crushed Newcastle 52-14.

Tyrone Green celebrated his 100th appearance for the club with two of Harlequins' eight tries at The Stoop.

It was an important win for the Londoners following a slow start to the season, while Red Bull's investment in Newcastle has yet to yield a Prem win.

Newcastle's defence had leaked 25 tries and 170 points in their opening five games and Harlequins tore them to shreds thanks to Smith and Green.

Adam Radwan's two tries staked his own England claim as Leicester held off a second-half fightback from Sale to claim a 36-35 victory at Welford Road.

England boss Steve Borthwick is due to name his squad for the November internationals on Sunday and Leicester wing Radwan again showed his finishing ability to take his tally to 14 tries in 14 league appearances since arriving from Newcastle last season.

Radwan, 27, who won the last of his two England caps in 2021, trained with the national squad last week.

Sale, hammered 65-14 by Saracens last weekend, put up more of a fight and with Luke James grabbing a second half hat-trick of tries, pushed the Tigers all the way but had to settle for two bonus points at the end of a 10-try thriller.

Late tries from Sam Underhill and Henry Arundell wrapped up a 40-15 win for Bath in their West Country derby clash with Bristol.

Underhill dotted down a loose ball over the Bristol try-line in added time before Arundell sprinted from one end to the other with 85 minutes on the match clock.

Finn Russell kicked his fourth conversion out of five to complete the scoring.

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