The Australian coach is thought to view Slade as having the potential to construct a team around, and the centre is determined to deliver on that promise. “It’s a really exciting squad,” he says. “Could it be a special group? Yes, I think so. I definitely want to be a part of it. That’s my goal. With Eddie, we had a brief chat about the EPS squad, and he has asked me about how my rehab is going so, yes, we have had a couple of little chats. I’m not going up during the Six Nations camp. He wants me to stay here and work on my rehab.”