Bristol Bears have confirmed the additions of two of the most exciting young talents in the Gallagher Premiership ahead of next season.
England international Ben Earl and highly rated utility back Max Malins will join the West Country side on a season loan for the 2020/21 campaign from Saracens who will play next season in the Championship having been relegated as punishment for repeated breaches of the Gallagher Premiership's salary cap over the last four seasons.
To be compliant with the salary cap next season Saracens are shedding a number of star players while allowing some of their brightest young talent, like Earl and Malins, out on loan to Premiership clubs so as not to hinder the upward trajectory of their careers.
Back rower Earl made his international debut versus Scotland in the 2020 Six Nations, while Malins – who is equally adept at fly half and full back – has represented England at U18s and U20s level.
Despite Saracens fielding a starting XV with 12 internationals in it against Bristol in their 47-13 victory at Alliance Park before Christmas it was the then three uncapped players who stole the show.
They were Earl, Malins and Nick Tompkins who has since become a Wales international.
Lam certainly never forgot the impact they had so leaped at the chance to improve his squad even if it is only in the short term.
Let's not forget Lam has form with short-term moves to have an immediate impact bringing in legendary Australian flanker George Smith for one final in 2018/19 and this campaign he attempted to do the same with the now retired Irish captain Rory Best.
Lam explained: “We had a unique opportunity to bring in two rising English stars and we believe both Ben and Max will add further quality and depth to a really exciting squad that we are building at the Bears.
“Ben can play across the back row and has been a standout performer in the Premiership this season, rightly earning his first cap in the 2020 Six Nations.
“Max is a 23 year-old with a bright future ahead in the game – he’s a versatile player who, along with Ben, caused a lot of havoc in our away loss to Saracens in December."
Lam says the loan signings of Ben Earl and Max Malins are a huge boost to the depth of his squad, after the highly rated Saracens pair agreed season-long deals at Bristol Bears.
He added: “I believe Ben and Max will benefit significantly from the experience of being part of our team and culture, as we strive to grow and compete on both fronts next season.
“I’m very pleased - they are two young, English guys who obviously are very good players,” he said.
“I believe they will enjoy their time here; they will enjoy their rugby and give them a chance to not only add value to our squad, but we believe we can help them improve and reach their dreams of playing for their countries.
“(Depth) is what we’ve been looking for and that’s all been part of our plan with our squad, to make sure it’s stronger every year. This year, we planned to go as strong as we can and fight on both fronts (Premiership and Challenge Cup) – next year, if we achieve Champions Cup, which is our plan, we’re going to need a quality squad to compete in both, so having depth in our squad is massive.
“In the back row, we’ve got some real talent, and certainly, Max brings versatility with his ability to play at full back and at 10.
“(English talent) is a very big part of our three pillars – we want to be at the top of Europe, we want to make sure that our rugby programme brings through players playing for England, and homegrown players.
“Ultimately, when I arrived here, we were only 50 percent English-qualified players, this year it’s 70 percent and next year’s squad will be 80 percent - that leaves 20% of quality foreign players.”
