Loan deal.

England international back-row Ben Earl looks set to depart Saracens at the end of the season on loan as the reigning Premiership champions prepare for life in the English Championship.

A number of Saracens’ big names have been linked with a loan and permanent moves away from the club as they look to balance their books ahead of a potential return to the top tier of English rugby in 2021.

22-year-old Earl is one of the hottest prospects in English rugby right now with Northampton Saints and Gloucester said to be among a number of clubs courting his services.

But it appears Pat Lam’s Bristol have won the race for his signature with RugbyPass reporting that he will join them next season on a loan deal as he looks to continue his rapid progression in the top-tier of English Rugby.

The Bears are currently flying high in the Premiership in fourth place and have already acquired the services of Fijian superstar Semi Radradra and Kyle Sinckler for next season, adding to a squad that already includes the likes of Charles Piutau, Nathan Hughes and Steven Luatua.

Meanwhile, another England international has committed to staying with Saracens next season with Elliot Daly joining Jamie George this week in stating he will stay with the club and help get them back into the Premiership.

“Yeah, I reckon I’ll stay, pretty similar to Jamie. I am still in contract,” said Daly ahead of Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland.

“We have the rest of the season to sort it out. At the moment, I’m just thinking about the next couple of games with England and then when I get back to Saracens, we’ll start talking about next year.”