Exeter open talks with Slade over new contract

Henry Slade is centrally contracted by England

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter says Henry Slade's England future is not the only factor that will decide if he extends his contract at Sandy Park.

The Prem club have begun talks over a new contract with the centre, who has yet to feature this autumn for England.

The 32-year-old has spent his entire career at Exeter, winning two Premiership titles and the 2020 European Champions Cup in 250 appearances.

He has also won 73 caps for England since making his debut a decade ago.

"I don't think necessarily whether England are picking him right now in the Autumn Internationals is the single biggest factor," Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.

"He's one of the guys on a proper England contract so he's well looked after currently, whichever way things work out.

"I don't think that's the single biggest motivator for him. He's also got a family home here - a young family. There's plenty of reasons motivating him to stay.

"We're only just starting these conversations. I don't want to put words into Henry's mouth. He will know how he feels and that will happen down the line."

Exeter have a number of players coming to the end of their contracts in the summer.

Baxter says he will assess how his side perform this season before making any firm decisions.

Having had their worst-ever Premiership finish last season, Exeter have had a promising start to this campaign, winning three and drawing one of their first five matches. They won just four times over the whole of last season.

"I've not been in a huge rush to try to just re-sign everybody who's here because whatever anybody says about it, we finished ninth in the Premiership last year," he said.

"I wanted some time to assess where we are, how we're developing, how we're growing and what the balance of the squad looks like - and we'll work from that.

"I've always worked on the process that if you miss out on the odd player but you don't sign the wrong ones, you're kind of heading in the right direction over a period of time and we'll continue with that policy."