Exeter can put 'terrible' season behind us - Slade

Henry Slade has spent his entire career at Exeter - winning two league titles and the 2020 European Champions Cup

"Last year, there's no getting way from it - it was terrible," says Henry Slade when he looks back on Exeter's 2024-25 season.

One of three members of the current Chiefs squad that claimed the Premiership and European Champions Cup double in 2020, the England centre knows how to win.

But he has also seen the lows of last season - a nadir in Exeter's 15 years as a top-flight side.

Apart from the first week of the campaign, the Chiefs were never out of the bottom two and were bottom for a few weeks in December.

It was a campaign that featured just four league victories as they finished second-from-bottom domestically while they were regularly humbled in Europe.

"We didn't know which hole to plug, there were so many things going wrong and we didn't really know where to go," Slade told the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"I think everyone is excited to put last year behind us and start afresh this season. Everyone has come in to pre-season with a new-found energy and excitement about things and I hope it's going to be a lot more positive year."

Henry Slade played all 80 minutes of Exeter's record 79-17 loss at Gloucester in April

After an off-field restructure began following a club-record 79-17 loss at Gloucester in late April - the lowest point in their worst season in recent memory - Exeter ended the campaign with a win over Northampton before narrow losses to Harlequins and Sale.

The rejig led to long-serving coaches Ali Hepher and Rob Hunter losing their jobs as Dave Walder came in as backs coach and director of rugby Rob Baxter took a more hands-on role with the side.

"Dave's come in and he's been brilliant," said Slade.

"He's come in with loads of new ideas and a different voice and different way of doing things. I think people have really warmed to that.

"I'm excited to see the stuff that he's bringing to life - we didn't really get to see loads of it at the end of last year because he came in with two or three weeks to go and couldn't change too much.

"But he's changed our whole calling structure, the whole way we're playing has changed, so it's exciting."

Last season, Exeter's squad suffered twofold from of a lack of experience and injuries as key players such as England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, veteran back Olly Woodburn and Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins missed large chunks of the campaign.

It led to young players having to learn on the job, something Slade hopes can have a long-term benefit.

"I feel like the younger lads now, because they've been chucked in the deep end a bit, have had a couple of years of learning and playing and I feel like they're going to be in a much better place," he added.

"They know what it feels like to be at the bottom and you don't want to be there. It's a terrible place to be and we're trying to talk to some of the lads about what it takes to get back to the top.

"I know it sounds silly but it starts with the little things like little standards, making sure everyone's on time for things, making sure you leave things in a good state.

"I know they sound small, but you've got to start on these little tiny things to enable you to get the big parts."

Slade excited to play with 'unbelievable' Ikitau

Len Ikitau started all of Australia's games against the British and Irish Lions this summer

Exeter have tried to add more experience to their squad over the summer.

Marquee signing Len Ikitau - the Australia centre - has joined from Super Rugby's Brumbies alongside Wallabies team-mate Tom Hooper.

Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney returns to Prem Rugby after a season in France while Joseph Dweba, Julian Heaven and Italy international Andrea Zambonin have further bolstered the pack.

But Slade is thrilled by the prospect of playing alongside Ikitau, who started Australia's three Tests with the British and Irish Lions this summer and is seen as one of the most exciting talents in world rugby.

"He's been on fire hasn't he? I'm really excited to play with Len," Slade said.

"From what I've seen of him over the last few years, he's an unbelievable player, so it's a really positive step from the club to get someone like that over, and for the league [too].

"I'm excited to play with him, see what he's like on and off the pitch, see if he likes a beer.

"But I'm buzzing to play with him. He's going to be a great addition to the squad - a strong lad, got good skills, lot of experience that we need, so [it's] awesome."