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Bristol lose England international shortly before Leicester clash
By Josh Raisey
Bristol Bears fullback Max Malins has been forced out of his side’s clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road today.
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The 27-year-old was originally scheduled to start at fullback for the high-flying Bears, but Bristol confirmed his withdrawal with less than two hours to go before taking on the Tigers.
Malins was on the scoresheet last week in Bristol’s resounding 85-14 win over Newcastle Falcons, which saw them climb into the top four of the Gallagher Premiership.
The 22-cap England international has been replaced by Rich Lane in the starting line-up, who was originally set to start on the bench. Piers O’Conor has been drafted into the matchday squad to fill Lane’s place among the substitutes.
Updated Bristol Bears XV: 15. Rich Lane, 14. Siva Naulago, 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12. James Williams, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. James Dun, 5. Joe Batley, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Fitz Harding (c), 8. Magnus Bradbury.
Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Josh Caulfield, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Virimi Vakatawa, 23. Piers O’Conor.
