Career
Yates professional career began at Bath. He also played in the 1998 Semi-final against Pau, but did not feature in the final against California Brive. Yates made his England debut on the 1997 tour of Argentina.
Yates received a 6-month ban he received for biting the ear of London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn on 10 January 1998 whilst playing for Bath.
He subsequently moved to play for the Super 12 side Wellington Hurricanes, making his debut against the Sharks in the opening round of the 2000 Super 12. He joined Sale Sharks in 2001, winning the 2002 Parker Pen Shield.
Yates joined Saracens in 2004. In 2007 he was called up for England"s tour of South Africa alongside Saracens team mates Matt Cairns and Andy Farrell.
Due to Nick Wood being injured, Yates started against South Africa, a record period of time between caps.
On this tour he was capped twice. His first senior England caps for 10 years. At the end of the 2007-2008 season he moved to Nice, where he plays alongside Dan Luger and Will Johnson.