Saracens have confirmed Ben Earl and Max Malins' 'long term futures'
Saracens have confirmed Ben Earl and Max Malins have committed their long-term future to the club – with a twist.
The Academy graduates have penned fresh terms at Allianz Park and will remain in north London until the summer of 2023.
Both players will continue their top-flight development with a season-long loan to Bristol Bears for the 2020/21 campaign before returning to the Saracens family.
Earl joined the Saracens Academy in 2012 aged 14 and has progressed through the ranks to become a valuable member of the first-team squad.
Four years on from his first year, he starred for England Under-20s at the Junior World Championships and made his Sarries debut in the LV= Cup. The back rower has since made a further 55 senior appearances and his form has led to England selection.
He became the latest Academy graduate to earn a cap for his country in the 2020 Six Nations, coming on in England’s win over Scotland – a moment he shared with six other Saracens.
“It wasn’t a tricky decision to want to stay here long-term and it’s where I see me building my career,” Earl said.
“It’s a club I’ve been at since I was about 14-years-old, one that I know really well and somewhere I really feel part of the family.
“We’re building something special here with a young group of guys and it’s something I want to be a part of.”
Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “Nothing brings more joy to everyone at Saracens than seeing a young player grow in our system, play for our club and represent his country.
“Ben is an exceptional young man with a huge future in rugby. We are delighted he has committed that future to Saracens.”
Malins joined the Saracens Junior Academy in 2013 and tasted success with England Under-20s at the World Rugby U20 Championship three years into his Sarries journey, making his first-team bow a season later in the LV= Cup.
Adept at either fly-half or full-back, he has since progressed into the first team environment, making his Premiership debut in 2016/17 before enjoying the first of three European appearances – the most recent a man-of-the-match performance against Munster – in Saracens’ win over Glasgow Warriors last season.
“I’m very pleased to be staying at Saracens for the long-term,” Malins said.
“I started here in the Junior Academy, they’ve developed me as a player and I wanted to put my trust in them to take me to my maximum potential and make me an even better player.
“I came through the age groups with a lot of people who are here now. You grow these friendships which mean a lot to you and it would be very hard to chuck that away. I’m hoping to make a lot more memories in the future.”
McCall said: “We are thrilled that Max sees his long term future at our club.
“He is another bright young talent who has come through our Academy and is a player with great potential whose best days lie ahead.”