Sharks delight in gaining an extra Yarde…

Sale Sharks have signed England winger Marland Yarde from Harlequins.

Marland has signed a three-year deal with the club and will join with immediate effect.

Though still only 25, Marland, who was born in St Lucia, boasts a wealth of experience and has already made more than 100 Premiership appearances.

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.

His explosive place 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.

 Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond said he was delighted to be welcoming Marland to the club.

“Marland is a very exciting player and he will very much suit our attacking style of play,” said the Sale boss.

“Though Marland has lots of experience he’s still very young with his best years ahead of him.

“I am sure that he will fit in perfectly with the rest of our squad and we are all very excited about welcoming Marland to Sale Sharks.

“Marland fits our criteria of international class recruitment and our search for a world-class lock, prop and centre continues.”