I still have big desire to play for England - Slade

Henry Slade points into the distance while playing for Exeter Chiefs Getty Images

Henry Slade's Exeter Chiefs side play Benetton in Sunday's European Challenge Cup quarter-final

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."

'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. We have never played them so it is an exciting challenge for this group."

Exeter's best result in the Challenge Cup came in 2015 when they reached the semi-finals and were knocked out by eventual champions Gloucester.

Having finished ninth in last season's Prem table, Exeter currently sit fourth with eight wins from 12 matches played this season.

"We have had a period over the last few years of a bit of rebuilding and some frustration and disappointment," Slade said.

"People have learned from a lot of tough experiences and tough challenges and are coming through the right side of things.

"It is an exciting time to be at the club. There's definitely some seriously talented boys here."