The size of the hole left in the Bristol Bears squad from the departure of Ben Earl and Max Malins last summer was emphasised last night at the league's end-of-season awards.
Both men spent a season and a half on loan at Bristol from Saracens during the club's year in the RFU Championship having been relegated after getting hit with a 70-point deduction in punishment for breaking the Premiership's salary cap.
While at the Bears both flanker Earl and full back/winger Malins shone, helping the club to win the European Challenge Cup in 2019/20 and then finish top of the Premiership in 2020/21.