Bristol Bears are after not one but two Saracens players on loan according to the latest reports.
Pat Lam’s side have long been mentioned in dispatches with regards to England flanker Ben Earl, who is reported to be heading to the club on a season-long loan deal, however The Rugby Paper now reports talented back Max Malins could also be on his way to Ashton Gate.
Malins, 23, is primarily a fly-half but can also play at centre and full back.
With Ian Madigan expected to depart the Bears at the end of the season Bristol will likely need to bring in a back-up fly-half option to provide depth alongside Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd.
The Rugby Paper reports Malins, who was also attracting interest from Exeter Chiefs, could head to Bristol on a loan deal which would allow Lam to cover the key position while continuing to bring through the exciting stand offs emerging from the academy, including Scotland U20s international Nathan Chamberlain and Tiff Eden, the latter of whom has just signed a new contract at the club.
Malins is also a strong option at full back with Mat Protheroe’s future still unknown with the Welshman out of contract at the end of the season and reportedly wanted in by PRO14 side Ospreys.
The paper reports Malins has already held talks with Lam.
Malin had a stella career with England U20s playing primarily at fullback in 2016 as England U20s’ won the Junior World Championships in Manchester and at fly-half alongside Harry Randall in reaching the final again in 2017, before being defeated by New Zealand.
Backrower Earl needs no introduction as one of the rising talents in the English game.
He earned his second England cap on Sunday afternoon as England beat Ireland in the Guiness Six Nations.
Talks to bring Earl to the Bears on a season-long loan are said to be at the advanced stages.
