Henry Slade thankful for tips from Jonny Wilkinson as Exeter Chiefs rookie gears up for Test bow against France at Twickenham 

• Henry Slade will make his Test debut against France at Twickenham 
• The 22-year-old will link up with Sam Burgess in England's midfield 
• The Exeter playmaker is targeting a place in Stuart Lancaster's squad 

By Chris Foy for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:29 EST, 13 August 2015 | Updated: 16:38 EST, 13 August 2015

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.

Exeter Chiefs playmaker Henry Slade will make his Test debut against France at Twickenham on Saturday 

The 22-year-old fly half cum centre was sensational for Rob Baxter's side last season

Slade will link up with former rugby league star Sam Burgess (right) in midfield against Les Bleus 

'Gareth Steenson got injured and came off after 20,' said Slade. 'That was the first time I'd had more than 20 minutes in a match. I found myself stood there at one scrum and opposite me was Wilkinson. Next to him was Giteau, Habana, Bastareaud, Armitage, Drew Mitchell.

'I thought, "These are some of the best names in the world", and we ran them pretty close. That gave me and the other boys a lot of confidence.'

In July this year, Wilkinson was not the daunting adversary anymore; he had become a temporary tutor for Slade and the other England kickers. The rookie noted that the retiree could still practise what he preached. 'He comes to the England training base every now and again,' said Slade. 'The other day he was in and we were doing some kicking. He was giving us pointers. He's still got it!'

Another landmark fixture in Slade's development came last season when, just weeks after he had been switched to outside centre, he had to confront Leicester's rampaging Manu Tuilagi. 'All week I was psyching myself up for it,' he said. 'I told myself, 'You can't run without your legs — I'm going low to get him down'. I got my arms round one leg at least!'

Slade has been psyching himself up this week, too, in readiness for the England Test debut he has dreamt about for 'years and years'. His centre partnership with Burgess will be an intriguing blend of styles; bulk and power at 12, grace and guile at 13. He may be up against the ex-rugby league star for a place in the final World Cup squad, but Slade agrees there is an aura about Burgess.

Burgess and Slade are competing for the one remaining centre slot in Stuart Lancaster's World Cup squad 

'Definitely, you only have to look at him to see the size of the bloke,' he said. 'He's a pretty big lad to have in the centres.

'If you are struggling to get over the gain line, all you have to do is give the ball to Sam. He is a big weapon to be able to use.'

Slade himself could be one of the most exciting English talents to emerge for years.

Slade has picked up plenty of tips from former Engalnd and Toulon legend Jonny WIlkinson (pictured)

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