Henry Slade is available for England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland after the red card he received for Exeter Chiefs against the Vodacom Bulls was rescinded.

Slade was sent off for a dangerous tackle on the Bulls fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse in a 39-28 Champions Cup defeat in Pretoria last week.

European Professional Club Rugby announced on Wednesday that the decision had been overturned by an independent disciplinary hearing.

MORE: Exeter star sees red over Slade’s sending off

“An independent disciplinary committee considered video imagery of the incident and heard evidence from Slade, who did not accept the red card decision, and heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, Richard Smith KC, from the Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan,” an EPCR statement read.

“The committee decided that while Slade had committed an act of foul play, it did not warrant a sending off. The red card decision was therefore dismissed and he is free to play.”

The decision clears Slade to face Castres in Exeter’s final Champions Cup pool game on Saturday, as well as compete for a place in England’s midfield for Steve Borthwick’s first game in charge at Twickenham on 4 February.

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