Leicester Tigers bid to bring England winger Marland Yarde to Welford Road has collapsed, according to The Rugby Paper.
The 28-year-old speedster was Tigers number one target to replace Jonny May, who will be leaving to rejoin boyhood club Gloucester
But it’s now being reported that May will instead be signing a one-year extension to remain in the North West with Sale sharks.
After winning a scholarship to the prestigious Whitgift School as a teenager, Marland 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.
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.
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His explosive pace and lethal finishing were quick to be recognised at international level with the wide-man being awarded his first England cap on the summer tour to Argentina in 2013 where he scored a brace of tries on his debut.
Yarde has since won 13 caps in total, claiming eight tries in total, his latest appearances coming on this summer’s tour to Argentina.
Leicester Tigers | Three perfect replacements for Jonny May
1. Dane Haylett-Petty
The 33-cap Wallaby is an international superstar who is available for Tigers to go sign on a short-term deal as soon as this is over.
This is due to Haylett-Petty, who was forced to take a huge paycut, being given the green light to take a leave of absence from Super Rugby and secure short term contracts in places such as England and the Japanese Top League before returning in time for the July 2021 Test schedule.
Would be an incredible signing.
