| Location: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 27 May Start: 15:00 BST |
| Access: Broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio London and BBC Radio Manchester (via FM, digital radio, BBC Sounds and online), with live commentary and updates on the BBC Sport website. |
Saracens winger Max Malins says there is “unfinished business” going into the final against Sale, which will be his last game for the club.
“Last year was hard to take,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I feel like I want this for myself. I’ve never played in the Premier League and won it. It’s very encouraging.”
Although Malins made his debut for Saracens in 2017, he was not part of the squad that won the Premiership title in 2017-18 or 2018-19 with the final win over Exeter.
The North London club were relegated in 2020 for breaching league wages but, as Saracens sealed a return to the top flight by winning the Championship title, Malins spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan with Bristol.
The Bears finished top of the table that season but later lost their semi-final to Harlequins in shock, going 28-0 in the first half at Ashton Gate in front of Quins. won 43-36 after overtime.
“Obviously I got close – and with Bristol, losing the semi-final the way we did and not having the chance to play in the final,” he added.
“For this club, after what we’ve been through, and to have a Premier League trophy to show for it a few years later would be huge for me personally and huge for the club.”
‘It’s been an exciting time’
Malins was the top scorer in the Premier League last season, with 16 to his name, and has 10 tries in 14 league games this season.
However, being agreed to return to Bristol last October, he was unhappy in the build-up to Saracens’ semi-final against Northampton earlier this month, fearing his time at Saracens could be over.
“It’s been a worrying time,” he said.
“It was too early for me to make a decision, but soon I had to accept it, knowing that it was coming soon.
“Last week, I wasn’t very happy that week because of the unknown, not knowing if you were going to be a finalist or not. [game] or not. Fortunately we won.”
Malins crossed like Sarries won 38-15 and Mark McCall’s side are now looking for their sixth Premier League title, with rivals Sale winning one and the last in 2006.
And Malins says there is nothing but joy in the Saracens crowd before they return to the stadium.
“This is the game we were looking forward to at the beginning of the season,” Malins said.
“To get through the season, to get into the semi-finals, to win and play the game is very difficult. There is a real buzz around the camp and everyone has a smile on their face.”
Vunipola has given a chance to the World Cup
A Premiership final will come too soon for Saracens’ injured Billy Vunipola, but head coach McCall says the number eight could be in with a chance of being in England at the World Cup in September.
The 30-year-old has undergone knee surgery following the Champions Cup quarter-final defeat by winners La Rochelle last month.
Vunipola was not named in England’s Six Nations squad under new coach Steve Borthwick, but McCall said he will be fit when the tournament starts in France.
“I think he’ll be back running by the middle of August at the latest,” McCall said.
“It’s a long time until the World Cup. Billy historically is coming from this injury, which he had a little bit of, he’s fine.
“He’s been training and working hard at the moment. I think he’ll be good for the World Cup, whether it’s Steve or not. [Borthwick] are you ready to choose him or not.”