Saracens 50-17 Bristol: Max Malins stars against former club as Sarries dismantle Bears

The hosts were relentless from minute one, hooker Theo Dan showing his power game and agile feet to dance into the corner to open the scoring after just three minutes.

The scores were doubled minutes later, yet again Sarries showing their forward drive, this time Nick Isiekwe finishing off a coast-to-coast score, Farrell nailing the kick.

Things got worse for the visitors as Farrell slotted a penalty to extend the lead to 17, before ex-Bear Max Malins found his inner Chris Ashton to swan dive under the posts after a ridiculously good passage of play.

Bears continued to struggle despite referee changes after Christophe Ridley was injured, and after being held up twice over the hosts' line, Nick Tompkins added the hosts' bonus point try on the stroke of half-time, 31-0.

It had been a difficult first 40 for the visitors, but they looked to get their attacking play going with Keiran Marmion diving over the whitewash for his first of three just two minutes after the break, 31-7.

Saracens responded instantly, Jack Bracken getting on the end of a lovely pass to walk into the corner, just avoiding the tackle from Louis Rees-Zammit, yet again converted.

Bracken would double his tally, a darting run out the back of the breakdown allowing the young winger to double his tally for the afternoon, dotting down in the other corner, 38-12.

Rees-Zammit hadn’t had many chances, but when he broke through and set away Dunn, the Bears would get their second as Marmion would add his second of the contest.

The visitors would be disappointed with their performance, and it would be made worse when LRZ had to be helped off after he was injured.

Marmion gained his hat-trick as the visitors looked to take a try-bonus back to Ashton Gate, but strong defence from the hosts denied that before Hugh Tizard went over for the North London side's seventh and final score, 50-17.

A dominant win for those in Red and Black with the Lions and Argentinian stars returning for next week's Derby weekend.

TRIES: Dan (3’) Isiekwe (7’) Malins (21’) Tompkins (39’) Bracken (48’, 51’) Tizard (79’)

CONVERSIONS: Farrell (3’, 7’, 21’, 39’, 48’, 79’)

PENALTIES: Farrell (16’)

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS:

RED CARDS: 0

15. Max Malins 14. Jack Bracken 13. Nick Tompkins 12. Owen Farrell 11. Rotimi Segun 10. Fergus Burke 9. Ivan Van Zyl © 8. Tom Willis 7. Andy Onyeama-Christie 6. Nick Isiekwe 5. Harry Wilson 4. Hugh Tizard 3. Marco Riccioni 2. Theo Dan 1. Rhys Carre

Replacements: 16. Eoghan Clarke 17. Eroni Mawi 18. Alec Clarey 19. Olamide Sodeke 20. Charlie West 21. Charlie Bracken 22. Cam Hutchinson 23. Noah Caluori

TRIES: Marmion (43’,62’, 74’)

CONVERSIONS: Worsley (62’)

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 1

RED CARDS: 0

15. Josh Carrington 14. Louis Rees-Zammit 13. Joe Jenkins 12. Benhard Janse Van Rensburg 11. Kalaveti Ravouvou 10. Tom Jordan 9. Keiran Marmion 8. Viliame Mata 7. Luka Ivanishvili 6. Joe Owen 5. Joe Batley 4. James Dun 3. Lovejoy Chawatama 2. Gabriel Oghre 1. Jake Woolmore ©

Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker 17. Sam Grahamslaw 18. George Kloska 19. Steven Luatua 20. Santiago Grondona 21. Max Pepper 22. Sam Worsley 23. Aiden Boshoff

Since his return to the club this summer, the question has been around Owen Farrells role within this Saracens team. Whilst he is best at 10, his performance from 12 opened the Sarries back line offering Fergus Burke and Nick Tompkins more room and time to play. With players like Elliot Daly and Alex Lozowski still to return it could be a great option for Sarries to have Farrell in that 12 shirt.

The return of LRZ has been hotly discussed with the Welsh winger bringing his NFL flair back to the Prem. But it's fair to say his performance left more to be desired. With ball in hand, he looked quick and agile but his defensive work led to tries being scored left, right and centre. He will get used to being back but after being isolated and now injured it may take some time.

Both sides were missing a raft for players. Whether that was through injury or being unavailable there were spots that you could see still need filling. The players from the Championship and those who went on the Lions tour are set to join back next week for Derby weekend, but it'll be interesting to see how many fit straight back in.

A lot has been said over the last year or so about the strength of the Saracens back line. But the emergence of young stars such as Jack Bracken, Noah Caluori, Tobias Elliot, Brandon Jackson and Angus Hall has put the North London club in a great position for the future. Whilst the return of Max Malin especially against his old club was riveting to watch.

This weekend saw multiple versions of the swan dive. Max Malins try replicated the Ash Splash with the viral moment getting more eyes upon Prem Rugby. The engagement that both the Women's Rugby World Cup, dramatic tries and celebrations like this have brought in, is only going to increase the trajectory of fans watching in a bid to grow the sport.