After a rapid return from injury, Exeter Chiefs utility-back Henry Slade is targeting a return to the international stage during this summer’s tour to Australia.

Slade was capped twice by England last autumn, the latter coming in the side’s consolation World Cup win over Uruguay – during which he scored his first senior international try.

The 23-year-old appeared a certainty to be in Eddie Jones’ thinking for the Six Nations, but disaster struck in early December when Slade suffered a broken leg and ankle ligament damage in a Chiefs’ win over Wasps in Coventry.

After having a plate and wiring inserted to his leg initial estimates put him out of action for around four months, but the Plymouth man was back on the pitch for Chiefs after just three.

Slade is regularly selected for Chiefs at outside centre but can play across the back line and he thinks his versatility is a positive for England selection as he looks to find himself a space in Jones’ Grand Slam winners.

“Some people would say you are a Jack of all trades and master of none but I’d say that if you’re available for selection in more than one position then you’re more likely to get picked,” said Slade, speaking on behalf of Land Rover who following Rugby World Cup 2015, continue to champion grassroots rugby through its ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign.

“We’ve seen Owen Farrell playing a couple of positions though too and Ollie Devoto can play fly-half and full-back so being versatile maybe doesn’t make me too different to others in the squad.

“If I’m on the pitch though then I do not really care where I am playing.

“I am just trying to do well for Exeter Chiefs that is what is going to give me my chance of getting involved in the tour to Australia.

“Seeing Manu coming back into the squad on his return from injury does give me hope as it means that if you are on form then you will be considered and get your reward.”

England famously won the Six Nations Grand Slam in Slade’s absence and he admitted his mixed feelings at watching on from home.

But he is excited by what he saw though and cannot wait to get back involved.

“It was awesome to watch them do so well but at the back of your head there is that frustration that I’m not involved,” he added.

“I’m not saying I would’ve been but I just didn’t even have the chance to put myself forward for involvement.

“Speaking to some of the blokes in the camp then it seemed good; they really seemed to enjoy playing together.

“Now I’m back I want to put my hand up, I need to get some form together between now and the end of the season.”

Back on the domestic scene, Slade’s Chiefs side has won three of its four games since his return, and he acknowledges the competition he faces to earn a spot in Jones’ squad for the summer tour.

“Eddie called me a couple of times during my rehab to say get well ask how it was going, and then again just before I was coming back, I’ve not heard anything since though,” he said.

“Obviously there is a lot of competition, you could pick anyone from the squad throughout the Six Nations, Elliot Daly came on and did well, and then there’s Ollie Devoto as well.”

Henry Slade is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover continue to champion grassroots rugby through its ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal