Roots backed to earn England recall by Exeter boss

Ethan Roots made his England debut against Italy in February 2024

Ethan Roots deserves a recall to the England squad, according to Exeter boss Rob Baxter.

The 27-year-old flanker won four caps during the 2024 Six Nations after an impressive first season at Sandy Park.

But Roots has been out of the England picture for the past year as the Chiefs' struggles in the league mounted up.

But Baxter feels recent good performances - including a player of the match showing in Sunday's 38-0 win over Harlequins - means he should be on the radar of England boss Steve Borthwick.

"He's worked extremely hard in pre-season, he's a key member of the squad, he's driving all the correct messages on how we want to play and what we want to do and how we want to turn up and then he' s following it through himself on the field," Baxter said.

"He's playing with great physicality and great discipline at the same time, which is tough to achieve, tough to accomplish, but he's doing that and that obviously puts him back in the eye.

"I don't think it'll be long before you'll see him there or thereabouts if he carries on the trajectory that he's on and the team carry on the trajectory that they are on."

England will also have 'A' internationals over the autumn period which could be a chance for Roots to show his worth having missed out on the England training squad that was announced earlier this week.

Exeter have started the season well, winning two and drawing one of their four matches, having ended last season second from bottom.

Baxter says it affects him personally when players are called up or miss out on the England squad.

"All I've said to him is, 'just kind of trust me, trust where we're trying to go as a team, let's work very hard together and if you work hard, I'll work hard'," he added.

"I take it very personally to try and get guys into international rugby. People think that's a bit odd, because actually it can hurt you a little bit as a team.

"But the reality is I ask these guys to come to Exeter and give everything they can and if I want them to give everything, then I want them to achieve everything.

"He knows exactly where I stand on it, I want to get him back in that squad, I want to give him every opportunity to do that.

"One of the things we've got to do to help him do that is put him in a good team and get everyone understanding that they'll all benefit if everyone's playing well and they're all doing well.

"We're starting to feel like we're getting that understanding again about what we can do for each other and hopefully can follow that through."