Henry Slade’s return after the World Cup will certainly be a pity for England

Exeter Chiefs 19 Glasgow Warriors 17

Another game, another comeback from Exeter Chiefs beaten by Henry Slade. The centre-back has been having a bit of a Champions Cup campaign and this win over Glasgow Warriors – which added to his previous two goals against Toulon and Munster – could have been what took Rob Baxter’s men through to the victory rounds – the most dramatic victory.

Slade’s superb conversion of a Zack Wimbush effort in the 78th minute only set up a stunning finish as the Premiers almost came unstuck twice – twice. Exeter carelessly lost the ball to invite a Glasgow counter and then, after scrambling across the field to save themselves, conceded possession in a messy five-metre scrum.

Euan Ferrie, the Warriors leader, dived over and looked like he had burglarized the Sand Park. It would not be more than the visitors deserved. But, as in the modern game, television replay decided matters. Pierre Brousset, the French referee, eventually ruled that Ferrie had disconnected himself from the last set piece prematurely. In fact, Ethan Roots was also isolated from the Exeter side. Lords supporters didn’t mind. They roared in relief, reveling in another gutsy effort.

Proposed by Steve Borthwick earlier this month, Slade is sure to complete a personal comeback when he is named in England’s Six Nations squad on Wednesday, some five months after the bitter disappointment of being left out of the World Cup party.

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Over time, the 30-year-old kept the Chiefs ticking. His break up the middle set up the position from which Wimbush extended through a scrum. Wimbush, the 20-year-old sage who replaced Tommy Wyatt for the last quarter and was proactive in hunting tackles from the wing, personified how youth is driving Exeter’s revival.

“Fair to these lads, they’ve got a never-say-die attitude,” Baxter said afterwards with a laugh. “We were a little off today, but they’ve come through.” As for Slade, celebrating his 50th Champions Cup with Kevin Sinfield in the crowd, Baxter hailed a player he has “loved again”.

He added: “Those performances come from someone who thrives under pressure. It will be difficult for England to ignore.”

Baxter suggested his charges looked “ready” and pointed out that Glasgow played fresher last December 30. The third test regular, Matt Fagerson, who has been a rough scourge for England in the past, was on the open flank and continued to frustrate Exeter.

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith wasted chances in the opening quarter. Kyle Rowe’s grubber didn’t fall well for Josh McKay and George Horne failed to get a pass from the onrushing Ally Miller. In between all that, Greg Fisilau, a mobile full-back who caught Borthwick’s eye with the more combative Roots, was booked for a high tackle on Duncan Weir.

Horne got a penalty and Weir assessed a head injury and then created Glasgow’s first try with a cute chip over the middle for Rowe. Leading 10-0 at the stroke of half-time, Exeter asserted dominance through the scrum. After a long period of resistance from the Warriors, which greatly challenged the Chiefs and lasted into the 42nd minute, Fisilau came up with a short pass and Jacques Vermeulen headed over. Slade’s conversion brought Exeter within 10-7 at the break.

The second period started with a glut of errors before Glasgow came up with a beautiful move. Scott Cummings went through halfway and linked up with Horne. Sione Tuipulotu finished wide and Weir restored a 10 point cushion which was quickly eaten up by Dan Frost’s close range score. Slade’s conversion, simpler than his later strike, went wide. Wimbush then thought he had leveled matters from an unlikely source: a cross-field chip from Lewis Pearson. Exeter’s coach called out anxiously as the mountain green booted the ball. Nothing came of the odd situation, however, as consequential officials recognized in the preparation period.

After Wimbush’s try stood up, Exeter almost leveled the game when Ross Vincent was tackled at the base of the scrum. In Baxter’s words, it was all “a bit farcical”.

When Brousset contacted his TV match official, it seemed likely that the try would be ruled out because there were “three or four offences”.

After the end of Ferrie, and Glasgow celebrating, Slade was urging Brousset to reconsider. That diplomacy, which will not be lost on Borthwick, is often as vital as anything else.

Data matching

Scoring: 0-3 Horne penalty, 0-8 Rowe try, 0-10 Weir conversion, 5-10 Vermeulen, 7-10 Slade conversion, 7-15 Tuipulotu try, 7-17 Weir conversion, 12-17 Frost try, 17- 17 Wimbush try, Slade conversion 19-17
Heads of Exeter: T Wyatt (Z Wimbush, 61); I Feyi-Waboso, H Slade, R O’Loughlin (J Hawkins, 10), B Hammersley; H Skinner, T Cairns (S Townsend, 57); A Hepburn (N Abuladze, 49), J Yeandle (D Frost, 49), E Painter (J Iosefa-Scott, 49), R Tuima, L Pearson, E Roots, J Vermeulen, G Fisilau (R Vintcent, 57)
Unused replacements: M Postlethwaite
Glasgow Heroes: J McKay; H Jones, S Tuipulotu, S McDowall, K Rowe; D Weir (T Jordan 10-20, 73), G Horne; O Kebble (J Bhatti, 53), G Hiddleston (G Turner, 53), Z Fagerson, S Cummings, A Samuel (R Gray, 53), A Miller (E Ferrie, 77), M Fagerson, H Venter
Unused replacements: L Sordoni, B Afshar
Referee: Mr P Brousset
yellow card: Evidence, 10
Attendance: 12,154