Sale Sharks winger Marland Yarde could yet return to London Irish, according to RUCK sources.
Despite reported interest from Leicester Tigers, the speedster had looked set to sign a new contract at the AJ Bell having recovered from a significant knee injury.
However, with survival confirmed following Saracens relegation, London Irish have been on hunt for a marquee signing ahead of their move to Brentford FC’s new Community Stadium. It’s projected to have a capacity of 17,250.
They have already made a move for Italy legend Sergio Parisse before making contact with the England international, who is yet to sign the new deal offered by Sale.
After winning a scholarship to the prestigious Whitgift School as a teenager, Yarde then went on to begin his professional career with London Irish, ironically making his professional debut in 2010 against Sale and scoring a try in an Anglo-Welsh Cup ties.
He spent four years with the Exiles for whom he made 47 appearances, scoring 13 tries before then making the short move across the capital to Harlequins in 2014.
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In his time at the Stoop Marland made 62 appearances for Quins, scoring 18 tries and cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting wide men operating in the English game.
His explosive pace and lethal finishing were quick to be recognised at international level with Marland awarded his first England cap on the summer tour to Argentina in 2013 where he scored a brace of tries on his debut.
Marland has since won 13 caps in total, claiming eight tries in total, his latest appearances coming on this summer’s tour to Argentina.
England’s one-cap wonder XV: who makes the cut?
An England ‘One Cap Wonders‘ XV.
Fullback: Mark van Gisbergen
Yes, he has a cap – only a fleeting one, as a late replacement for Mark Cueto against Australia in 2005 – but he does boast a 100% winning ratio in international colours, so you can’t knock that. An exceptional player at club level, scoring over a 1000 points for Wasps, things just didn’t come together for him on the Test stage.
Winger: Steve Hanley
Hanley was one of two Sale players to make their international debut in England’s final match of their 1999 Five Nations campaign along with Barrie-Jon Mather.Although Hanley scored a try, he also was handed-off by Craig Quinnell and suffered a broken arm as Wales won 32–31.
Centre: Stuart Potter
The Leicester legends sole England cap came as a 2-minute blood replacement during the 76-0 hammering by Australia on the 1998 “Tour to Hell”, however this hides the fact that he was an England A stalwart, gaining 15 caps, his international ambitions being limited because he shared a position with captain Will Carling, as well as players such as Jerry Guscott and Phil de Glanville. He had also been called into the England squad for the 1998 Six Nations championship but was injured.
Centre: Anthony Allen
He made his England debut against New Zealand on 5 November 2006, partnering Newcastle Falcons’ Jamie Noon in the centre. Allen received multiple stitches in his mouth halfway through that first half after being hit in the face by his New Zealand opposite number, and never played again.
Winger: Christian Wade
He made his full test debut against Argentina on 8 June on the right wing playing the whole 80 minutes. Wade was selected for the second game against Argentina the following week but withdrew from the team when he was called up to join the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. He’s since moved onto American Football.