Rugby Union: Max Malins confident Saracens will respond at Exeter Chiefs in Aviva Premiership
Max Malins (right) of Saracens tackles Exeter Chiefs' Mitch Lees in November (pic: Paul Harding/PA) - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Mark McCall’s men suffered a home defeat against Leicester Tigers on their last outing
Ben Spencer kicked two penalties for Saracens against Leicester Tigers (pic: Paul Harding/PA) - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Max Malins believes Saracens will bounce back when they visit Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.
Sarries suffered a disappointing 27-20 loss at home to Leicester Tigers on Sunday, slipping off top spot in the process.
Chiefs made the most of the north Londoners’ misfortune to take over at the summit, with the top two meeting at Sandy Park on Sunday.
And Malins says the Allianz Park outfit will head to the west country determined to put right what went wrong against Tigers.
“We were a bit slow out the blocks. We talked about our intensity being a bit off; we had a lot to do in the second half and I don’t think we did too badly, but a slow start got Leicester on the front foot and inevitably won them the game,” he told the club website.
“Hopefully we can kick on next week, go down to Exeter and get a good win down there.”
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Academy graduate Malins has featured regularly for Saracens in recent weeks, thanks in part to some of the more senior players being away on international duty during the Six Nations.
In the backs alone, Sarries are without the likes of British & Irish Lions tourists Owen Farrell, Liam Williams and Sean Maitland, as well as scrum half Richard Wigglesworth.
The absence of those players has opened the door for the likes of Malins, and he is keen to make the most of his opportunity.
“This is a great phase for me with Owen away and other people away. I’m really pleased to be getting these vital little minutes,” said the 20-year-old, who scored two tries against Leicester.
“It gives us young guys the opportunity to get some good game time and it’s all about experience for us, getting in and around it; that goes for myself, Tom Whiteley and Rotimi Segun, who made his debut.
“It’s a great experience for me and great learning, enabling me to develop by being up close and personal to the game.
“We’re all getting opportunities and it’s up to us to take them to be involved in other games in the near future.”
Malins will hope for more minutes this weekend when Saracens make the trip to Exeter.
And if the youngster can cross the tryline again, he will hope this time his scores come in a winning cause for the north Londoners.
