RUMOUR | Marland Yarde offered unlikely homecoming

Despite reported interest from Leicester Tigers, the speedster had looked set to sign a new contract at the AJ Bell having recovered from a significant knee injury.

However, with survival confirmed following Saracens relegation, London Irish have been on hunt for a marquee signing ahead of their move to Brentford FC’s new Community Stadium. It’s projected to have a capacity of 17,250.

They have already made a move for Italy legend Sergio Parisse before making contact with the England international, who is yet to sign the new deal offered by Sale.

After winning a scholarship to the prestigious Whitgift School as a teenager, Yarde 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 pace 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.

Yes, he has a cap – only a fleeting one, as a late replacement for Mark Cueto against Australia in 2005 – but he does boast a 100% winning ratio in international colours, so you can’t knock that. An exceptional player at club level, scoring over a 1000 points for Wasps, things just didn’t come together for him on the Test stage.

Hanley was one of two Sale players to make their international debut in England’s final match of their 1999 Five Nations campaign along with Barrie-Jon Mather.Although Hanley scored a try, he also was handed-off by Craig Quinnell and suffered a broken arm as Wales won 32–31.

The Leicester legends sole England cap came as a 2-minute blood replacement during the 76-0 hammering by Australia on the 1998 "Tour to Hell", however this hides the fact that he was an England A stalwart, gaining 15 caps, his international ambitions being limited because he shared a position with captain Will Carling, as well as players such as Jerry Guscott and Phil de Glanville. He had also been called into the England squad for the 1998 Six Nations championship but was injured.

He made his England debut against New Zealand on 5 November 2006, partnering Newcastle Falcons’ Jamie Noon in the centre. Allen received multiple stitches in his mouth halfway through that first half after being hit in the face by his New Zealand opposite number, and never played again.

He made his full test debut against Argentina on 8 June on the right wing playing the whole 80 minutes. Wade was selected for the second game against Argentina the following week but withdrew from the team when he was called up to join the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. He's since moved onto American Football.

After an injury to Alex Goode he was called up to the England squad in May 2013. He made his début as a substitute for Freddie Burns in England’s victory over Argentina, scoring a conversion.

The scrum-half was unlucky enough to find his way to further England honours barred by Matt Dawson, Kyran Bracken and Andy Gomarsall.

The prop made his only England appearance in 1989 against Fiji at Twickenham, scoring a try in a 58-23 victory, which saw the visitors receive two red cards. It was a strong England line-up that boasted Will Carling, Jeremy Guscott and Rory Underwood in the starting XV.

He was called up to the full England side for their summer tour to South Africa in 2007, earning his first and only cap as a replacement during the first test against the Springboks on 26 May 2007. The hooker though fell victim to the virus that prevented many England players being considered for the second test and that was it for his international career.

Crompton was selected for the tour of South Africa at the age of 34, nine years after his first senior England tour, as a result of his form in the Premiership. Thus, the tighthead was able to win his full England cap when he took to the field during the first Test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein as a replacement for Stuart Turner on 26 May 2007.

The Newcastle and Saracens legend, who made 245 Premiership appearances, won a deserved first England cap against Canada in the Investec Challenge match in 2004 and scored a try.

The lock won his only cap for England under Sir Clive Woodward against Argentina in 2002. He is the current forward coach of Harlequins having previously been Head Coach of Ealing Trailfinders.

Clark has featured for his country at age group level, playing for England U18’s up to U20’s. He progressed to senior International rugby in 2014, captaining the Saxons before making a full debut against France in the Rugby World Cup 2015 warm-up match against France. However, this would be his only appearance.

He's another one who earned his one cap for England in 1998, playing in the record 76-0 loss to Australia.

Skirving travelled to South Africa to take the place of the injured Peter Buxton in the full England squad for their two-test series against the Springboks. The back-rower was not involved in the first test, but won his first England cap starting the second test on 2 June 2007.