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Former Lion offers theory why Chessum call-up led to Genge benching
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Hype around England's fullback prospect enters overdrive after Barrett comparisons
The stock in Saracens’ 22-year-old fullback Max Malins is heating up after boss Mark McCall said his performance against Bristol reminded him of a young Beauden Barrett.
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The stand-in 15 clocked up nearly 100 running metres whilst scoring a second-half double against Bristol on Saturday to earn comparisons to the All Black superstar from his boss.
“He reminds me a little bit of a young Beauden Barrett who wanted to be a fly-half but played 15 in his early years for the Hurricanes and the All Blacks,” McCall said.
Malins, who has only eight starts for Saracens since his debut in 2017, looked every bit a star surrounded by seasoned internationals in Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, Sean Maitland, and Maro Itoje.
Pundits on Twitter immediately dialed up the hype on his prospects of becoming England’s next star, with one Saracens’ fan calling for the fullback to be offered a ‘lifetime contract’ at the club.
Can we give Max Malins a lifetime contract please?
— Matt (@MattySarrie) December 21, 2019
Max malins on fire today 100% England player within a year ????
— ?? ?? ?? (@tallyt99) December 21, 2019
Long-term successor to Goode at 15 IMO ! Always thought it his best position, has more time & space to use his speed & footwork than he does at 10 !
— Kate (@k_iddon) December 21, 2019
Max Malins even coaches dream. Plays what’s in front of him ?#SARvBRI
— Richard Stock (@S7OCKY) December 21, 2019
@Saracens Max Malins was damn good last week. This week he is astonishing. Superstar Under Construction!
— Peter Terry (@PeterTerry3) December 21, 2019
Ben Earl and Max Malins the best players on the pitch alongside the likes of Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola, Owen Farrell etc – England next for the #saracens stars. . . ?
— Jonny Fordham (@JonnyBFordham) December 21, 2019
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Has been excellent all season. You heard it here first but keep an eye on Max Malins too
— Clive Sharkey (@clivepsharkey) December 21, 2019
Be gutted to see Liam Williams go, but with academy lads Matt Gallagher and Max Malins doing so well I think we will be ok.
Interesting to see his wage will be c.£400k at Scarlets.
Wonder what Uncle Tony makes of his market value. Grand slam winning Lion ?
— ? Steve ??? (@saracen1971) December 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/Options____/status/1193912066945499136
With reports this week that Wales’ fullback Liam Williams will take up an offer to join Scarlets, the door at Saracens for Malins to earn more game time is open.
However, Saracens already have England’s current fullback Elliot Daly on the books, who transferred this year from Wasps, and club legend and former England international Andy Goode.
If Malins has to sit awhile longer to become a regular starter, he is in good company to learn a few tricks of the trade.
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