![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1_Exeter-Chiefs-v-Saracens-Gallagher-PREM.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Rugby Awards 2026 were held in London on Wednesday night, celebrating the best of the 2025\/26 season<\/p>\n
Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs celebrates victory at the final (Photo by Michael Steele\/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Rob Baxter says Henry Slade has to be considered ‘one of the top centres in the world’ on current form as the 33-year-old has inspired Exeter<\/a> Chiefs to a return to the Gallagher PREM play-offs for the first time in five years.<\/p>\n Slade finished the league campaign as the top scorer in the Gallagher PREM with 187 points, 44 ahead of second-placed George Ford<\/a>, with his eight league tries helping his tally.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Exeter Chiefs injury latest ahead of Bath Rugby: Ethan Roots, Greg Fisilau, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso<\/a><\/p>\n On Wednesday night at the league’s Rugby Awards 2026, Slade’s vintage season was recognised when he was named in the Gallagher PREM Team of the Season at outside centre, alongside clubmates Andrea Zambonin, Tom Hooper and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.<\/p>\n Reflecting on Slade’s standout season for Chiefs, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Sladey has been fantastic for us. For a guy who is getting on in his career, his attitude on and off the pitch has been fantastic.”<\/p>\n Asked if this is the best rugby Slade has produced during his incredible Chiefs career, Baxter said: “He was very good at the end of our double-winning season [2019\/20].<\/p>\n “What I would say is, he’s playing at that level pretty consistently now at the end of this season.<\/p>\n “I think back then he’d have been considered one of the top centres in the world, and that’s probably the kind of level he’s almost playing at now.”<\/p>\n Chiefs face Bath Rugby in the semi-final on Saturday at the Recreation Ground for a place in the final against either Northampton Saints or Leicester Tigers a week later.<\/p>\n Exeter have won all six of their previous Gallagher PREM semi-finals en route to titles in 2017 and 2020, but all six of those victories came at Sandy Park after finishing in the top two of the league. This year, Chiefs will have to do what no other side has and win the title after finishing third in the log.<\/p>\n Baxter reflected: “We’ve been in plenty of semi-finals, but never been away from home. So it’s going to be another interesting challenge for us. It’s probably one of the things we need to try and tick off because we haven’t done one yet.”<\/p>\n Gallagher PREM Team of the Season<\/p>\n 1 – Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)<\/p>\n 2 – Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers)<\/p>\n 3 – Thomas du Toit (Bath Rugby)<\/p>\n 4 – Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)<\/p>\n 5 – Andrea Zambonin ( Exeter Chiefs)<\/p>\n 6 – Tom Hooper (Exeter Chiefs)<\/p>\n 7 – Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears)<\/p>\n 8 – Tom Willis (Saracens)<\/p>\n 9 – Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)<\/p>\n 10 – Billy Searle (Leicester Tigers)<\/p>\n 11 – Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)<\/p>\n 12 – Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears)<\/p>\n 13 – Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)<\/p>\n 14 – Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)<\/p>\n 15 – Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)<\/p>\n Exeter Chiefs on Whatsapp<\/p>\n Join DevonLive’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Exeter Chiefs stories sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n DevonLive<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the Exeter Chiefs by news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the DevonLive <\/a>team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n