England winger Max Malins to BIN lucky tights after hat-trick for Saracens against Wasps
MAX MALINS is binning his lucky tights after getting endless stick for scoring in stockings.
England wing Malins became the first Premiership star to bag back-to-back hat-tricks - and now has seven tries in as many days.
The lycra lover had his lucky legwear to thank as he went try crazy against woeful Wasps in a 56-15 hammering.
Malins took advantage of rugby's new rules on allowing thigh-high hosiery to protect against cuts and burns on plastic pitches.
But the 24-year-old won't be wearing tights at Twickenham next month on Test duty.
Ahead of jetting off to Jersey on Monday with Eddie Jones' squad the Saracens star said: "It's the power of the tights.
"I knew I was going to get some stick for it, so I had to put on a good performance.
"I got my legs cut a few weeks ago and they just about healed. A couple of days after doing it I was walking with straight legs.
";I didn’t want that to happen before England camp, so that was the reason behind it.
"It was pretty painful, so I didn’t want to go through it again. I thought I would take the heat with it and own it.
"I decided to wear them very late on, I brought them with me and saw that Jonny May had worn them, which opened the door for everyone.
"I’m hoping I won’t need them again. They’re back in the locker now. The amount of looks and comments I got was exactly what I expected.
"It was coming from all different angles, but you’ve got to own it."
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Full-back turned winger Malins now has SIXTEEN tries in just 11 games.
The Harry Kane lookalike added: "This wing business doesn’t seem to be too bad, either.
"It was a great result and performance and I'm happy to get on the end of some tries.
"It has not been a bad ratio playing on the wing in terms of tries in appearances."
After a record 71-point slaughtering of Bath last Sunday third-placed Sarries now have 127 points and 18 tries in their last two games.
England skipper Owen Farrell booted 16 points.
And Test teammates Jamie George, Billy Vunipola, Alex Lozowski and Ben Earl all touched down.
Injury-plagued Wasps fought back through breakaway scores from Jimmy Gopperth and Zach Kibirige at 32-15 before being put to the sword.
After seeing his injury list rise to 20 players, with four more crocked in London, boss Lee Blackett said: "It could have been worse.
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"We were too sloppy with the ball and our set-piece had an off day.
"We had six people making their debut. I don’t think you can take too many positives away from a defeat like that."
