Fresh from his impressive performance for the Exiles in their Round 3 win over Worcester, Marland Yarde's match statistics reflect the winger's efforts, including two clean line breaks, three dominant carries and evading six tackles. The twenty-year old was the top metre-maker of all players on the pitch, with 90m over the gainline to his name. He also made seven tackles at a 100% success rate, including winning a turnover.
London Irish's Director of Rugby Brian Smith admitted he was particularly impressed with Yarde.
"Marland's performance was electric," Smith told reporters. "There is not another winger in the country who would have scored that try. It was as if his hair was on fire."
Just in time for his 22nd birthday next week, Harlequins back-row Joe Trayfoot joins Yarde on the shortlist after an equally notable performance in Round 3 of the LV= Cup.
Harlequins produced a comfortable win over Premiership newcomers London Welsh in a game that saw Trayfoot take centre stage, displaying 11 tackles and 10 ball carries. He completed two initial line breaks, beat a defender and made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown to make his mark on the game at The Stoop.
The Stats
Marland Yarde
- Carries - 9
- Meters - 90
- Defenders beaten - 6
- Initial break - 2
- Tackles - 7
- Tries scored - 3
Joe Trayfoot
- Tackles - 11
- Misses - 1
- Carries - 10
- Dominant Carries - 2
- Metres - 45
- Initial breaks - 1
- Defenders beaten - 1
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