Yarde raring to go

Editor

Marland Yarde is fit and raring to go as Sale Sharks prepare for Saturday's return to European Challenge Cup action at home to Lyon.

Having signed for the club from Harlequins in November, the England wing made an instant impact, scoring a try on his debut away at Leicester before then impressing again in the home win against Northampton.

However, the 25-year old was subsequently sidelined with a frustrating injury which has since prevented Yarde from building on that exciting start.

Now though, he is fully fit and ready to return and play his part in what he believes can prove to be a successful second half of the season for the Sharks.

"I picked up a small injury during the Northampton game. Initially, we didn't think it was going to be anything too long-term but it's just been a little nagging problem that has taken a bit of time to get rid of," he revealed.

"It's one of those where you have to be sure it's right – especially in the position I play in on the wing.

"Fortunately, I have not suffered any major injuries in the past three or four years and over the past few seasons, I probably played more games than anyone else at Harlequins while I was there.

"So it was a bit of a weird one. I really wanted to kick-on from making my first couple of appearances for the club but that problem is behind me now and, hopefully, I can play a part in helping us have a strong second half to the season.

"There is still a lot of rugby to be played – there's still four months of the season to go and, hopefully, I can come in and make a positive impact for the club going forward and ensure that we finish the season well.

"It has been great to be around the environment even though I've been injured over these past few weeks. The guys have been doing well and they have helped me in my recovery.

"There's no secret to happiness in camp. If you are winning games and everyone is playing well then the guys are going to be happy.

"And if you're happy enough, it's a bit like a snowball effect – the momentum builds and we've become a hard side to beat."

As he prepares to make his return, Yarde says the Sharks are eager to maintain the momentum and fine form that has brought them four wins from their past five Premiership games, putting the club right in the mix for a potential top-four spot.

And though the focus has now switched to the European Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup over the next month, the England winger believes there will no let-up in intensity from Steve Diamond's squad.

"I've never played against Lyon before and having spoken to the boys I know that potentially we could have won our game over there against them back in October," Yarde added.

"But being at home we want to maintain our good record and kick-on from where we've been over the past few games and get that win to give us a chance going into that last group game away in Toulouse.

"We're entering a block of European and Anglo-Welsh Cup games where it's about keeping our momentum going. We want to give ourselves the best shot in both competitions leading up to the return to the Premiership at London Irish.

"We don't want to look too far ahead – we need to take it block by block. We can park the Premiership now for a few weeks and look at these two European games, starting with Lyon, and see what we can do over the next few weeks."