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Ex-England wing Yarde set to play first match since January arrest
Ex-England winger Marland Yarde is poised to play his first match in ten months following his exit from Sale earlier this year as he has been named in the provisional Barbarians squad of 23 to take on Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens on November 26.
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It was last January when the Manchester club admitted that an unnamed player belonging to them had been arrested by police, and it was September 2 when the 13 caps international took to social media to confirm he was the subject of that investigation.
His statement two months ago, which was soon deleted, read: “In January, as I think it is known by some of the rugby community, I was arrested on suspicion of having committed a very serious offence. A necessarily lengthy police investigation followed but I can now confirm that no further action is to be taken against me.
“I have not been charged with any offence. Whilst I never doubted my innocence, I understand that the investigation had to be handled with care and sensitivity for the protection of all involved. Although innocent of the crime alleged against me, I take full responsibility for having put myself in a situation where an allegation could be made against me.
“I am working hard to improve as a person using what the incident has taught and shown me. I want to apologise to all my family and friends for the hurt and distress I have caused them. Their love and support gave me the strength to see a positive future, and I look forward to resuming my career doing what I love which is playing rugby.”
"The difficulties he has had over the last eight months have been extreme…"
– Sale explain why Marland Yarde is no longer part of their squad, w/@heagneyl???#GallagherPrem https://t.co/hmi8LavsFG
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 6, 2022
It was a few days later at his weekly media briefing that Sale boss Alex Sanderson, speaking ahead of their start to the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season, confirmed that the club had parted company with Yarde during the off-season. “He left by mutual agreement. That was sometime in the summer because of all the negative press and all the association.
“This is a sticky subject because I care for him and his family and I was the correspondence for him and his mum, so I am not going to go into his mental state or the difficulties he has had over the last eight months which have been extreme. Extreme. I can just say right now from what I hear he is in a good place and he is looking to keep playing the game.”
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That Yarde ambition to keep on playing will now be realised ten months on from his last Premiership appearance for Sale as he has been named by coaches Geordan Murphy and John Mulvihill in a 23-strong Barbarians squad that also features former Northampton pair Luther Burrell and Tom Wood, along with Danny Cipriani, Dan Robson, Owen Williams and Francois Hougaard.
Barbarians president John Spencer said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the popular Saints faces of Luther and Tom back to Northampton, as well as a squad with a large Wasps and Worcester Warriors contingent, and a sprinkling of seasoned internationals too. We are confident that this is a group that can dazzle a Northampton crowd with our world-famous Baa-Baas skill, flair and passion come November 26.”
The exhibition fixture at Northampton replaces the Premiership game that was originally scheduled for that afternoon against Worcester, who were suspended from playing for the remainder of the 2022/23. The Warriors and Wasps both fell into administration in recent weeks, leaving all their players and staff unemployed.
Barbarians (provisional squad vs Northampton, November 26)
Forwards (13): Will Boyde, Tim Cardall, Tom Cruse, Hika Elliot, Ben Harris, Brok Harris
Graham Kitchener, Murray McCallum, Ben Morris, Olly Robinson, John Ryan, Elliott Stooke, Tom Wood;
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Backs (10): Luther Burrell, Danny Cipriani, Will Haydon-Wood, Jonah Holmes, Francois Hougaard, Perry Humphreys, Dan Robson, Gareth Simpson, Owen Williams, Marland Yarde;
Coaches: Geordan Murphy, John Mulvihill.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments