Henry Slade: Mental edge will be vital against Leinster

The Exeter centre warns Leinster can't be given a 14-point start

Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs is challenged by Xavier Mignot of Lyon. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Hiscott

Henry Slade has seen both sides of a bashing in an England versus Ireland game and knows the power of a positive mindset in determining the outcome. So the Exeter Chiefs centre realises just how important it will be for the Heineken Champions Cup holders when Leinster visit Sandy Park for this evening’s eagerly-anticipated quarter-final.

The 28-year-old has been part of a physically dominant England side that has enjoyed success over Ireland in Dublin and at Twickenham over the past three seasons, scoring two tries himself in the 2019 Six Nations win at Aviva Stadium that foretold difficult times ahead for Joe Schmidt’s squad.