Henry Slade

ASK A rugby player who has been the biggest influence on their career and most will pick out a coach or two, maybe highlight the support of their parents. For Henry Slade, though, it’s his daughter, Olive, who is not yet six months old. She may not be giving him skills advice or discussing the best tactics for Test rugby, but her arrival last August has had a profound impact on Slade.

“There have been a lot of coaches, at Exeter, at school, with England, but my daughter being born has just changed my outlook on everything,” says the 27-year-old Exeter Chiefs and England centre when discussing his influences.

“I think I’ve been playing good rugby since she’s been born. I’m not wearing myself out constantly worrying about playing, things going on in my head, something I did wrong or getting caught up with something I did well. I get the chance to come back