1
Bristol Bears sign England prop Ellis Genge
By Ian Cameron
Bristol Bears have verified the worst kept secret in rugby, confirming the signing of England prop Ellis Genge, whose dramatic exit from Leicester Tigers was announced yesterday.
The explosive prop will return to his hometown club, which he left in 2016.
Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said: “Ellis is a World Class player who has grown to be a leader on and off the field for club and country. He obviously will add real value to us as a team and the whole Bristol Bears community.
“The thing that impressed me most about Ellis was his genuine love for Bristol and our people. Even while at Tigers, he remained invested in the community here running rugby coaching camps for underprivileged young people from all backgrounds."
Club captain at Leicester Tigers, Genge has made 97 appearances for the side, while also earning 31 international caps for England along the way.
"I’m so proud of my roots in Bristol and what the city means to me and my family," said Genge. "I have close relationships at the Bears and I’ve got unfinished business here – so it’s important for me to be able to come back and represent Bristol and play my role in the community.
"I want to pay tribute to Leicester Tigers and everybody who made my time there so special. It’s an unbelievable club and I have grown as a player and a person, I cannot express how grateful I am to all my teammates, coaches and fans at Welford Road."
Yesterday the loosehead prop said he'll "be forever grateful for what" Leicester Tigers had given him. “I’ve created lifelong friendships and learned a great deal.
“The club has been amazing in understanding my reasons for this decision and I will continue to give everything I have got for the boys and the fans of Leicester Tigers for the rest of this season."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
Go to comments