England secured an iconic late victory over France at Twickenham (Image: Getty)
Henry Slade has revealed players have been given more power in resurgent ’s new defensive system this under assistant coach Joe El-Abd.
El-Abd was brought in ahead of the autumn internationals but was working with the old blitz method introduced by former defence coach Felix Jones.
El-Abd has made some changes to the strategy with England not rushing up to attackers all guns blazing like they did under Jones.
England’s defence was not perfect in the win over France last Saturday but the cover scramble, and French mistakes, kept them in the game.
And with Steve Borthwick’s side back in Six Nations contention, ahead of the Scotland clash a week on Saturday, Slade says players are being heard.
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Exeter’s Slade said: “There’s been a lot more emphasis on players helping out with reviewing it and leading it as well and I think that’s only helped us.
“Joe has his own ideas but there has been definite input from some of us as players in terms of how we do it as well. We know what we are doing.”
Slade’s midfield combination with Bath’s Ollie Lawrence is also bedding in with Saturday’s 26-25 defeat of France the 12th time in succession they have lined up together.
He added: “It definitely does take time to understand the little intricacies of what people do in certain situations. We’re only going to benefit from having that continued run of games.
“It feels more natural us coming in and picking up where we left off rather than starting afresh.”