Marland Yarde poised for Sale Sharks move as John Kingston drops Harlequins wing for second week running
Yarde was dropped by Kingston for disciplinary reasons last week and also missed out on England selection, with confirmation of a switch to Sale set to come as early as Tuesday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Harlequins’ director of rugby John Kingston was keen to emphasise the club’s control over Marland Yarde, despite dropping the England wing for the second match running, against Worcester today, amid strong rumours the 25-year-old has been shown the door at The Stoop and has agreed a transfer to Premiership rivals Sale Sharks.
Quins beat bottom club Worcester 41-35 in an 11-try extravaganza in the league, but Yarde was dumped from the home side's 23-man squad, as he had been for the European loss at Wasps last week following his absence from a training session.
And the former Harlequins and England star Ugo Monye spoke unequivocally of the move to Sale in BT Sport’s TV coverage from the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday night. An announcement confirming the switch may be made as soon as Tuesday.
“My relationship with Marland is really, really strong,” said Kingston of Yarde who has made 81 appearances for Harlequins, scoring 27 tries, since he joined Quins from London Irish in 2014.
“We have spent a lot of time talking together in the time he has been at the club. And he’s played really well this year.
"That said, I decided it wasn’t the right thing for him to be in the 23 this weekend.
“I have to make decisions I believe are for the better good of Harlequins Rugby Football Club, all the time. I want to build an environment and a culture, with a tight-knit group of people that can work our way through things, and challenge for honours.
“Harlequins could have selected the player today, and we’ll have to see how things map out for us over the course of the next few days. If I decide it’s the right thing him for him to play against Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup next Sunday, he will be selected.
“I’ve no idea whether he was here today but I saw him yesterday and as usual I had a long and positive chat with him.”
We are in a professional sport and I have to make the right decisions for Harlequins
Yarde has won 13 England caps, with eight tries, but on Thursday he was left out of the national-team squad for the autumn internationals by head coach Eddie Jones, who has let it be known he would like the wing to improve his workrate.
Kingston said: “You need to speak to Eddie about that, but it was nothing to do with him [Yarde] being left out for one game last week. He’s not the only player that’s been left out by England.
“People will believe what they want. If anything, I have spent more time with Marly than I have with virtually all of the players in our squad. I know his mum really well, and his support network, and I have a soft spot for him.
"I think he’s a really good lad and a fine rugby player. But I repeat again, we are in a professional sport and I have to make the right decisions for Harlequins.”
Asked if Yarde had asked to leave, Kingston replied: “He hasn’t, no. He is under contract to Harlequins, and anybody under contract to Harlequins doesn’t go anywhere unless it suits Harlequins. If and when Harlequins Rugby Football Club decide that somebody’s not the right thing to stay, firstly you honour that contract and secondly, obviously, if you decide it’s right to try and move people on, you can do that as you wish to do so.
“You’ll find out when it’s the right time to find out.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments