Video - Going on these comments, Marler and Yarde weren't best mates

England loosehead Joe Marler has revealed that he didn’t speak to teammate Marland Yarde for the 18 months preceding the winger’s exit from the club.

Yarde left Harlequins under a cloud two weeks ago, after the club lost patience with the winger.

Speaking on the Rugby Pod, Marler said that he had already given up on the troubled player long before Yarde’s now infamous mid-season departure from the club.

“I hadn’t spoken to the bloke in 18 months. I’d lost the plot with him a good while ago. And let him be, let him do his own thing, because I’d given up on it.

“He’d made the decision that he wanted to leave…you know, all the best to him,” Marler told the podcast. “I wish him all the best. I don’t wish nastiness upon anyone.

“He’s one of those to just leave, as he won’t change in my mind. Me and him just don’t get on.”

He also described Chris Robshaw’s comments on Yarde as ‘punchy’, saying if Robshaw was prepared to say something negative about a player, he must have a reason.

Marler also said he was ‘****ing gutted’ he missed the Wales England forwards training session in Bristol this week.

Marland Yarde is settling in at new club Sale, where he gave this interview upon arrival. The former England winger was not selected for Eddie Jones’ November Tests squad, and will hope to turn his fortunes around at the northern club.