Henry Slade: Exeter ready to put ‘terrible’ season behind them

After an off-field restructure began following a club-record 79-17 loss at Gloucester in late April – the lowest point in their worst season in recent memory – Exeter ended the campaign with a win over Northampton before narrow losses to Harlequins and Sale.

The rejig led to long-serving coaches Ali Hepher and Rob Hunter losing their jobs as Dave Walder came in as backs coach and director of rugby Rob Baxter took a more hands-on role with the side.

“Dave’s come in and he’s been brilliant,” said Slade.

“He’s come in with loads of new ideas and a different voice and different way of doing things. I think people have really warmed to that.

“I’m excited to see the stuff that he’s bringing to life – we didn’t really get to see loads of it at the end of last year because he came in with two or three weeks to go and couldn’t change too much.

“But he’s changed our whole calling structure, the whole way we’re playing has changed, so it’s exciting.”

Last season, Exeter’s squad suffered twofold from of a lack of experience and injuries as key players such as England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, veteran back Olly Woodburn and Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins missed large chunks of the campaign.

It led to young players having to learn on the job, something Slade hopes can have a long-term benefit.

“I feel like the younger lads now, because they’ve been chucked in the deep end a bit, have had a couple of years of learning and playing and I feel like they’re going to be in a much better place,” he added.

“They know what it feels like to be at the bottom and you don’t want to be there. It’s a terrible place to be and we’re trying to talk to some of the lads about what it takes to get back to the top.

“I know it sounds silly but it starts with the little things like little standards, making sure everyone’s on time for things, making sure you leave things in a good state.

“I know they sound small, but you’ve got to start on these little tiny things to enable you to get the big parts.”