Bristol keen to keep hold of Earl and Malins
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Max Malins of Bristol Bears breaks with the ball during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool 2 match between Bristol Bears and ASM Clermont Auvergne at Ashton Gate on December 12, 2020 in Bristol, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
BRISTOL BEARS are ready to launch a bid to keep on-loan duo Ben Earl and Max Malins at Ashton Gate next season.
They joined Bristol on-loan in August to boost their chances of a call up to Eddie Jones' squad after Saracens were caught salary cap cheating and relegated.
Last March flanker Earl and flyhalf Malins signed extended contracts with Saracens until 2023 before the club allowed them to join Bristol.
Pat Lam has been so impressed with the duo that he wants the Bears to explore if it's possible to keep them on permanent deals.
Lam has been given hope that Saracens may need to release more players after seeing Jack Singleton turn his loan at Gloucester into a permanent move.
Saracens have seen a mass exodus of players since they were found guilty of exceeding the salary cap and deducted 70-points.
Nine players left permanently last year while Earl and Malins are two of six players who are spending the season elsewhere and are due back in the summer. The Bears have already lured scrum-half Tom Whiteley from north London for next season while Wasps have signed Ali Crossdale.
NEIL FISSLER
