Henry Slade knew his career was taking off when he found himself opposite Jonny Wilkinson in a European match. And last month they were on the same side — with the apprentice learning from the master at England's HQ. Exeter's 22-year-old playmaker has risen fast and is preparing for his Test debut against France at Twickenham on Saturday — a grand audition for a place in Stuart Lancaster's World Cup squad. While he will line up at outside centre, in a midfield alliance with Bath's cross-code recruit Sam Burgess, Slade emerged in Devon as a fly-half. That is what led him into the path of Wilkinson, closely supported by a host of Toulon's other galacticos in December 2013.Henry Slade will make his Test debut against France at TwickenhamThe 22-year-old will link up with Sam Burgess in England's midfieldThe Exeter playmaker is targeting a place in Stuart Lancaster's squad
In July this year, Wilkinson was not the daunting adversary anymore; he had become a temporary tutor for _ and the other England kickers.