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Max Malins' Saracens return makes it a Valentine's Day to remember
By Liam Heagney
Max Malins has played his final match for Bristol after Saracens confirmed their Valentine’s Day signing of him on a two-year deal. Last capped by England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the full-back has been sidelined since the Bears’ Gallagher Premiership win at Bath last October.
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Malins injured his knee at The Rec but was due back in mid-winter only for a training ground achilles setback to rule him out of the rest of the 2024/25 season. He has now decided to rejoin Saracens, his boyhood club, and draw a line under two periods at Bristol, a 2020/21 loan spell and a two-year deal that started in 2023/24. He played 38 times with them.
A statement read: “Saracens is delighted to confirm that Max Malins will return after signing a two-year deal to head back to his boyhood club. The monumental signing of the former Saracen sees one of England’s most exciting backs return to StoneX Stadium. After a short spell with Bristol Bears, Malins once again reunites with the Men in Black after having previously been at the club since the age of 16.
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“Having featured more than 20 times for England, including as a part of the most recent Rugby World Cup squad, Malins will bring international class and experience back to where he first broke onto the scene. A product of the Sarries academy, Malins joined the Men in Black in 2015 after progressing through the junior pathway.
“After making his Saracens debut in 2017 in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, he quickly became a mainstay in the senior squad covering multiple positions across the backline. After a short loan spell at Bristol Bears in which he found fine try scoring form, bagging 11 in as many appearances, Malins returned to the StoneX as a crucial part of the Premiership-winning team, scoring a try in the 2023 final against Sale Sharks.
He's coming back. ??? #YourSaracens? pic.twitter.com/hWl8CPbhos
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) February 14, 2025
“On the international stage, Malins played for both England U18 and U20 before making his debut for the senior time in 2020 against Georgia. The full-back also scored a brace of tries against Scotland in the 2023 Six Nations opener. With the ability to play all across the backline, Malins’ versatility is no secret to Saracens fans, with the 28-year-old picking up multiple awards including Premiership top try scorer for the 2021/22.”
Malins said: “I’m very happy to be coming back to the club that I love and know so well. I’m coming in and joining a squad that looks different, but a youthful one with a lot of talent and we want to be competing for trophies.
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“I grew up playing with a lot of the players and know all the coaches so that gives me comfort and put me at ease. This club is in my heart after joining at 16 years old.
“It was the toughest decision of my life to leave but I wasn’t away for long and am fully focused on getting back fit and back playing at StoneX. I have always felt the love from the fans at Sarries which I am very grateful for, and firmly believe we can kick on to achieve something special.”
Director of rugby Mark McCall added: “Max is one of the brightest talents in the game and we are delighted that he will be returning to the club.
“His game understanding and ability to see and exploit space, together with his capacity to bring the best out of others will compliment and add to what we are hoping to build in the coming seasons. We believe Max has his best rugby ahead of him and look forward to the positive impact he will make.”
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In a separate statement, Bristol boss Pat Lam said: “I have really enjoyed working with Max, who has made a significant contribution to our Bears journey on and off the field during his two spells with the club. He was big part of some of our most memorable Bears games, including a star performance when we won our most recent major silverware.
“It’s frustrating for both him and us that his current injury has meant the excellent away win over Bath in the round three derby back on October 5 will be his final game for the club. Despite his injury, Max continues to contribute massively to our leadership group and team, driving standards and ideas to ensure we finish our season in the best possible way.
“I know all his teammates, staff and supporters appreciate firstly the person he is, and the quality he has shown for the Bears during his time here and we all thank him for his efforts over the past two seasons.”
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