20 Questions: Marlan Yarde – London Irish winger
No one enjoys watching us lose but we’re focussed and working really hard to be better. I’m getting back to my best and when we click we’re a hard side to beat.
Feel you’ve turned the corner with three straight wins?
It’s been encouraging. Winning away at Gloucester was no mean feat and the aim was to back that up against Mont-de-Marsan and Bordeaux, which we did.
Brian Smith described you last week as ‘international class’?
I don’t know how to reply. It’s nice to hear things like that but I’ll just work hard and concentrate on Irish. If anything else comes, I’ll grab it with both hands.
Enjoy playing for England U20s last year?
Loved it. Being part of England is a phenomenal experience. Highlights were winning the 6 Nations against Ireland and playing South Africa, in South Africa, in the JWC. We lost, but the atmosphere was fantastic.
Sad that Irish are losing Alex Corbisiero?
He’s England’s No.1 prop so it’s a huge loss for us. But knowing Corbs he’ll give everything until the end of the season and hopefully leave us in a good place.
Find constant speculation over players leaving annoying?
Not at all, it’s part of professional sport. Everyone’s got to make decisions but the people who are here are fully focussed on the job.
How do you chill-out?
I enjoy spending time with friends, going to the cinema or visiting the odd restaurant. I’m not a console guy, I like to get out and it’s 2 for 1 in the Odeon on Wednesdays!
Best films seen?
My favourite movies are Lord of the Rings and The Dark Knight Rises. I love Bane, he’s unbelievable. Haven’t seen The Hobbitt yet, but it’s on my list.
Enjoy music?
I like R&B, hip-hip and so on. Enjoy listening to Chris Brown. My parents are really into jazz as well, so as a kid I grew up listening to Jamie Cullum and Louis Armstrong. I enjoy that too.
From where does your family hail?
St Lucia. I’ve still got family there, as well as in Miami and Atlanta.
Played any other sports?
I was a striker in QPR’s academy up to when I was 14. Football was an option at the time but then I got a scholarship to Whitgift School, so I got into rugby and never looked back.
Another sportsman you’d like to be?
It would have to be Lewis Hamilton. I love go-carting and the thrill of going round corners fast, so to travel the world doing F1 would be awesome.
Hear you have a golfing brother?
Yes. Trinh, my 8-year-old brother, has played golf since he was 3 and is really good. He’s qualified for a tournament this summer so watch out for him.
Best place you’ve visited?
New Zealand. When I was 17 we went on a school summer tour and it was an unbelievable experience. Three weeks, north to south, and we finished off in Queenstown.
Best and worst banter at Irish?
Irish boys Brian Blaney and Tomas O’Leary are best. They’ve got some funny little lines. Worst are Jack Moates and Gerard Ellis. They try, but they’ve no chat and are just not funny!
Best and worst dressed?
Sailosi Tagicakibau’s got some good style and Tom Homer’s quite out there with his dress sense. Worst is Topsy Ojo. He’ll hate me for saying it, but he dresses like an old man!
You live with David Sisi… what’s his cooking like?
He’s good. Cooks a mean pork loin and his sirloin steak is excellent as well. He’s well into his seasonings and all that.
Most prized possession?
My iphone. I can’t imagine losing it. I’d feel like I’d lost half my life.
Envious of local rivals Harlequins?
Not at all. I know a lot of the lads down there and they’ve done unbelievably well. There’s rivalry between us but you have to just accept they’re doing very well.
Ambitions for rest of the season?
To make sure London Irish do well. We’re not at the right end of the table but we’ve got good players and we’ll keep plugging away.
