TIGHTS IN LIGHTS

Malins scores four tries in his leggings as sensational Sarries destroy Wasps

MAX MALINS sent a come and pick me message to Eddie Jones with four tries in a record-breaking display for rampant Saracens.

Not content with scoring three at Bath he went one better against Wasps, becoming the first Premiership player to bag two hat-tricks in a week.

It took him to the top of the tryscoring charts and he did it wearing tights – the week after World Rugby amended its laws to allow players to wear leggings on artificial surfaces.

“The power of the tights!” declared the man of the match (above) after crossing four times in the space of 45 minutes to bury injury-hit Wasps.

“I knew I was going to get a bit of stick for wearing them so I had to put on a good performance. I might have to keep wearing them now.”

Malins, 24, broke into the England team last Six Nations before injuries curtailed his progress. He flies to Jersey with the national squad today in competition with Jonny May, Adam

Radwan and Freddie Steward for a back-three starting place this autumn.

Not only have his two wing appearances yielded seven tries, his previous game in the position, for Bristol in last season’s Premiership semi-final, brought another hat-trick.

Saracens have scored 127 points in seven days and Jamie George and Billy Vunipola were again outstanding, helping themselves to a try apiece as Sarries secured a bonus point inside 43 minutes.

Then Malins took over, exposing Wasps time and again down the left side in his tights before being subbed off to save the visitors from further pain.

Malins said: “There was a good reason for wearing the tights. I cut my legs a few weeks ago and was literally walking straight legged for three days after, unable to bend them.

“It was pretty painful and I didn’t want that to happen again.” SARACENS: Tries: George, Malins 4, B Vunipola, Lozowski, Earl; Cons: Farrell 5; Pens: Farrell 2. WASPS: Tries: Gopperth, Kibirige;

Con: Gopperth; Pen: Gopperth.