'Hope to carry on where I left off': Bristol sign Max Malins

Bristol have confirmed that England international Max Malins will join them from Saracens for the second time in July 2023. The winger initially spent a season on loan at Ashton Gate on 2020/21 after Mark McCall’s London club was automatically relegated from the Gallagher Premiership due to repeated breaches of the salary cap.

It was while at Bristol that Malins made his England breakthrough, debuting for Eddie Jones’ national side in November 2020. He returned to Saracens following their Championship title victory the following June. However, he lost his England spot towards the end of last season’s Guinness Six Nations and wasn’t been included for this week’s three-day training camp in London.

Instead, Malins has used that non-selection as the opportunity to finalise his deal to return to Bristol at the end of the 2022/23 season. A Bears statement read: “One of the most exciting English talents in the game, Max Malins, will join Bristol Bears from Saracens in July 2023, the club can confirm.

“The 25-year-old, who has 14 caps for England, enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Ashton Gate between 2020 and 2021, scoring 18 tries in 19 matches and helping the Bears to a maiden European title and top spot in the Gallagher Premiership.

“Last season’s leading try scorer in the Gallagher Premiership with 16, full-back Malins signs a two-year deal at Ashton Gate.”

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “Max is already one of the top players in the Gallagher Premiership and he made a huge impact during his loan spell with us at the Bears. We are all looking forward to welcoming him back into our team again.

Malins added: “I’m delighted to have signed with the Bears. During my loan period, I was made to feel very welcome by the fans, thoroughly enjoyed my rugby and made some good friends. I look forward to returning and hope to carry on where I left off.”