Tuesday Round-Up

Slade gets nod: Exeter Chiefs flyhalf Henry Slade has been handed an international call-up by England head coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of this weekend’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Twickenham. Slade, who is equally comfortable in the 10 or 12 jersey, comes into the squad for the injured Brad Barritt. After it was confirmed that Barritt would sit out this weekend’s forthcoming clash due to an ankle sprain sustained last weekend while on club duty with Saracens, Lancaster opted to include 21 year old Slade, as he looks to build his youthful squad prior to the Rugby World Cup on home soil later this year. Elsewhere, there was some bad news for Leicester Tigers back rower Tom Croft, after it was revealed that the two time British and Irish Lion had suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Tigers’ clash with Newcastle over the weekend, and will sit out the remainder of the Championship. Also on the injured list is prop Henry Thomas who suffered a shoulder strain against Sale Sharks on Friday, leaving the Bath man unavailable for the remaining two games of the Championship.

Folau switch: One of the most dangerous and most potent attacking backs in today’s game, Israel Folau, is set for a switch from fullback to the centre for his domestic side the New South Wales Waratahs. Having previously hinted at the future potential of the code hopper in the midfield, Wallabies and Waratahs head coach Michael Cheika has since confirmed that the decision may come earlier than expected with Adam Ashley Cooper struggling with a mysterious knee injury. According to both Cheika and assistant coach at the Waratahs, Daryl Gibson, it is now the right time to begin to take baby steps to introduce Folau into the midfield, with a World Cup fast approaching.

Ryan Sheady