Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says he expects England centre Henry Slade to extend his stay at the club.

His current contract is due to run out at the end of this season and he has been linked with a move to France.

"Without doubt he brings a big amount of leadership experience," Baxter told BBC Sport.

"In a backline that at times this year has had a lot of guys making what you would describe as their breakthrough seasons, having someone who can talk through things and just keep people on a good track and give everyone an understanding of what actually the pictures are showing in front of them is very important."

Slade has played a pivotal role as a young Exeter side have proved many pre-season doubters wrong as they remain in the hunt for a Premiership play-off place.

They head into the resumption of the league season this weekend sitting in fifth place with six games to play, but only two points behind second-placed Harlequins.

He has also been key to their progress in the European Champions Cup, with his last-second conversion earning a win away at Toulon in December that helped Exeter reach the knockout stages.

"I think he's also thriving in the offensive system we're using which is then showing how good he can be within the England system. He's kind of the pivot point in the England system that makes it work or not," added Baxter of Slade, who started all five of England's Six Nations matches.

"He's very, very good at that part of it for us, and the amount of times he's got on the ball through his defensive work or broken up the opposition through his defensive work has been fantastic.

"He's actually a quick guy who makes things happen as well, there's a lot of very good points to Sladey and hence why he's been a number one choice throughout the Six Nations for England."