Six Nations: England's Henry Slade available for tournament as red card overturned
- Published
Henry Slade has won 50 caps for England
England have received a Six Nations boost with Henry Slade's red card being overturned by a disciplinary panel.
The Exeter centre was sent off for a high tackle in Chiefs' 39-28 Champions Cup defeat by Bulls on Saturday.
However the red card has been rescinded, leaving Slade free to play immediately.
England begin their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Twickenham on 4 February with Slade a prime contender to start the match.
"The committee decided that while Slade had committed an act of foul play, it did not warrant a sending off. The red card decision was therefore dismissed and he is free to play," European Professional Club Rugby said in a statement.
Slade was named in head coach Steve Borthwick's 36-man squad on Monday alongside centres Manu Tuilagi, Dan Kelly and Joe Marchant, while Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly can also play in the midfield.
"Henry's very pleased," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Sport.
"You've always got to give credit where credit's due, I think the procedure was very straightforward. I think the talking through of the head injury process was done properly and in the correct way.
"A lot of credit is due to both EPCR and the panel in how they dealt with everything and Henry's just pleased that what obviously at the time was frustrating for him has been resolved now and he's ready to get on with things.
"All ways round the right and correct result has been found."
A red card for head contact carries a minimum six-game suspension, although this can be reduced to three games because of mitigating factors, while the completion of a World Rugby tackling course can reduce the ban by a further game.
Meanwhile, Sale second row Cobus Wiese has been suspended for two weeks following his red card for a no-arms tackle which made direct contact with Dorian Aldegheri's head as he attempted to clear out the ruck during Saturday's 27-5 Champions Cup defeat by Toulouse.
However, if he completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention course he will be free to play from Monday, meaning he will be available for the Sharks' Premiership game with Bath a week on Friday.