Bristol Bears sign England prop Ellis Genge

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."