Ex-England wing reveals true story behind clash with Eddie Jones and their surprising relationship
Mind games from Eddie Jones
Former England winger Marland Yarde appeared on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby this week to discuss his life post-rugby and reflect on the times that shaped his career.
The 33-year-old recently announced his retirement from the game, leaving behind a legacy of try-scoring exploits, both in club and international colours.
Like any sportsperson, Yarde went through many changes in his career, breaking the mould of the young athlete to become the experienced head he is today.
None of these changes happened on their own; it takes influences – good or bad – to alter a perspective on life. One such influence changed his career for the better, and it’s not someone that people would expect – Eddie Jones.
Mind games from Eddie Jones
“I think people feel like me and him had a really bad relationship,” the man from Saint Lucia told the GBR panel.
Explaining that Jones knew how to get the best out of him, he said: “This guy changed me in a lot of ways. I used to play with that fear. He knew how to push my buttons, but he was also the coach who gave me my most caps. He really pushed me because he believed in what I could do, but he just had a different way of doing it.
“Like some players, you can put an arm around. Some players he liked to prod. He just knew, if he just kept me on coal, that I was always going to be at it.”
Despite always being kept on edge by the former England coach, Yarde insists that the duo retained a good relationship.
“I spoke to him a couple of years ago, and had a conversation like normal. But at that time in question, I think he really elevated my game and elevated the importance of everything.”
Revealing the chaotic nature of their relationship, Yarde recalled the “weird” conversations the two used to have, claiming that Jones would often collar him, in person and on the phone, to chat about all sorts of weird and wonderful things that weren’t even related to rugby.
“I think it’s just to have a giggle sometimes,” said Yarde. “It was weird, but in some ways, he got the best out of me.”
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The clash
Many fans will remember the viral story, shared by various teammates, of Jones berating Yarde for claiming to be tired when arriving at England camp. The story goes that Jones essentially told Yarde to leave camp because he didn’t have the correct mindset.
While part of that fable is true, there’s much more nuance to the actual story.
Retelling the event, Yarde said: “Me and Rocko (Semesa Rokoduguni) were both playing Bath versus Harlequins, and the media built it up because we were both in the England squad. One of us is going to play at the weekend, so we played against each other. I had a good game; he did too.
“I think the game was like five, six o’clock in the evening. So, by the time we finished the game and drove down to Pennyhill Park, we’re arriving there at like 10/11. Your body’s bruised, you’re pretty tired per the 80-minute game.
“He’s asked to see me at six in the morning. So obviously, after the game, you take caffeine tablets. So I barely even slept, maybe like two to three hours. So I’ve gone there, I’ve just woken up, my body’s pretty sore.
“I walked into the office. He was like, ‘how you feeling mate?’ I said, ‘I’m pretty tired.’ And he goes, ‘what? You don’t want to pay for England. You don’t want to play, get out’.
“I thought it was like a test. So I’ve basically sat down. I was like, this can’t be happening.
“I’m thinking he’s brought me in here because he’s gonna tell me I’m starting or something, and I’ve just stood there, and we just literally had a face-off. Luckily, I didn’t walk out.”
Jones then told Yarde: “You can stay, enjoy all the food, and we’ll get you out of here, or you can get in your car and get off.”
The winger was having none of it, however, retorting: “No, I’m not going anywhere. You asked me what I’m feeling. I said I’ve just played a game less than 12 hours ago, I’m just a bit tired, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to play for England. I’m here because I want to play for England.
Explaining how Jones took that response, he continued: “I think he liked that because he’s basically testing me, and, like, shouted at me, and I just wouldn’t move.”
After staring each other down for half a minute, Jones told Yarde to “go get a kit on” and “enjoy the training” before assuring him that he’ll be “gone” afterwards.
Of course, Yarde did not go, and was instead in the starting line-up for the upcoming match, proving that Jones’ test was designed to keep him on edge and firing.
