All-action Yarde is itching to have a go

The last time Marland Yarde faced Argentina he scored two tries in an England debut that finally convinced Stuart Lancaster to use specialist wings in the No11 jersey.

Harlequins full-back Mike Brown was on the left wing for the Six Nations but reverted to No15 for the two Test victories in Argentina last summer, including the second game in Buenos Aires which introduced Yarde to international rugby.

The London Irish wing’s two tries and eagerness to hit rucks, make tackles and generally use as much energy as possible in the national cause, made a big impression on head coach Lancaster, who gave the wing a first Twickenham appearance in last Saturday’s 20-13 win over Australia.

Although Yarde’s strong run set up the position that led to Chris Robshaw’s try he incurred the wrath of the referee with an early tackle on a player still in the air and then a block on an opponent who had kicked ahead. The first misdemeanour was down to a timing error while the block was, although he protests his innocence, a ‘professional’ decision to stop a try resulting from the kick-chase.

Now, Yarde gets to face Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday although the Pumas team, unlike the one defeated 51-26 in Buenos Aires, will include their players from France’s Top14 league.

Yarde, whose father really is named Scotland, said: “I was really excited the night before the Australia game and struggled to get to sleep because I just wanted to get on with it. Once the match started I tried to take everything in my stride and get my hands on the ball as early as possible.

“I did think I was going to get to the try line when we attacked from Mike Brown’s run but Adam Ashley-Cooper put in a really good tackle. However, we got the try from the charge down after the line-out and I was delighted to have a positive impact for the team.

“Hopefully, against Argentina I will get a lot more carries with the ball. I marked a couple of their kicks because it was the right thing to do against Australia but on Saturday if it’s right to have a go then that’s what I love to do. At Test level, everything is under so much more scrutiny and you have to make the right decisions.”

Saracens prop Mako Vunipola has a knee ligament injury — Alex Corbisiero and Joe Marler are the alternatives for Saturday at loose-head — while Rob Webber covers for Tom Youngs, whose wife is expecting a baby.

New Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade has picked a big pack of forwards and has Saracens centre Marcelo Bosch in the back line.

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