What Robshaw said about Yarde cuts NO ice with me
JONES SLAPS DOWN EX-SKIPPER & LEAVES DOOR OPEN FOR MARLAND
MARLAND YARDE was thrown an England lifeline last night as Eddie Jones revealed a cunning plan to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Yarde’s career is in danger of going down the tubes after being dropped by his country, forced by Harlequins to find a new club and he was publicly lambasted by ex-Red Rose captain Chris Robshaw.
But Jones gave the 25-year-old renewed hope on the day the World Cup draw left England with “no excuses” not to be successful in Japan. He told Yarde he remains in the running for Test selection and assured him he would only be judged on his behaviour in the England camp.
England, who play Argentina a week tomorrow, name a wing replacement for the injured Jonny May on Sunday.
And Jones said: “Marland is obviously in contention. What Robbo said about him won’t have any effect on his selection.”
The Australian confirmed that “100 per cent” he would bin a player for missing three training sessions – as Yarde did at Quins before signing for Sale ( below) – adding: “But Marland didn’t do it with England.”
Pressed as to whether club behaviour has any bearing on Red Rose selection, Jones replied: “Dylan Hartley wouldn’t be captain of England if it did!”
The strong likelihood is that Yarde will be left out for now as Jones suspects he is not in the right frame of mind. “Marland came to Argentina with us in the summer and was absolutely first class,” he said. “He came to the Oxford camp in September and was first class.
“But he’s left the club he loved to join another, so is he in the right condition to compete for a spot? It’s like having a relationship break up, sometimes it takes time for people to get over it.”
Confirmation that England will have Pool C games against Tonga and USA to build up to their biggest World Cup matches against Argentina and France has delighted Jones.
“If you were doing the ideal World Cup and you wanted to set it up, that’s how you want it,” he beamed. “So we have no excuses.” Jones (left) wants to keep England at the same base in Japan during the group stages and effectively commute to games in Sapporo, Kobe, Tokyo and Yokohama.
He said: “I have local knowledge from my time coaching Japan which gives us a head-start.
“It’s a bit like an arms race. Everyone is racing for knowledge to maximise their opportunities.”