MAX Malins says he’s gearing up for what promises to be a ‘sprint finish’ in the race for this season’s play-offs in the Premiership.
The 27-year-old was in scintillating form as Bristol Bears maintained their winning streak with a hard-fought victory over local rivals Gloucester last time out.
It was a success that helped keep Pat Lam’s side, who had seen off Sale Sharks, Bath and Northampton Saints in successive games, firmly in the shake-up for one of the four play-off spots with just four rounds of battle left in the regular season.
“We sort of looked at this latest two-week block and knew what we wanted out of it,” Malins told The Rugby Paper. “I think we can be very pleased that we’ve come out of it with ten points. Obviously, Gloucester have turned the corner a bit with their form in these last two weeks, doing Leicester over twice, so we knew it was going to be a tough challenge coming here.
“That said, we’ve dug deep, we’ve played well and we’re really pleased with the win and to pick up the five points.”
Bristol’s impressive form of late has helped happen with the rest of claw the Bears up to fifth the table.” in the current standings, Just being back on the two points adrift of the field, however, is just the top four, and well placed tonic for Malins, who admits it’s been a tough sea-to attack the final weeks of the campaign. son having made just one
“I think there’s been appearance for England a noticeable change in at last year’s Rugby training,” added Malins, World Cup in who is now in his second France, before spell with the West Country club. up a knee in-then picking
“It’s the business end jury in Bristol’s of the season and it’s clash with the Bulls very competitive across back in January. the board. Having it like “I’m feeling good,” he that, it’s just what we added. “If I’m honest, I need leading into this final run-in. We need to be a good time for me, not think the injury came at competitive in training just physically, but mentally as well. It allowed because it then transfers itself onto the pitch. me to reset.
“For all of the teams “I had sort of been it’s kind of like a sprint going hammer and tong to the finish line. We’re throughout the summer, under no illusions how trying to get into that tough it’s going to be, but World C
