Ellis Genge

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Ellis Genge

| image = Ellis Genge 2015.jpg

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|02|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Bristol, England

| height = {{convert|1.80|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/teams/england/player/55592|title=Ellis Genge player profile|publisher=rugbyworldcup.com|accessdate=22 October 2023}}

| weight = {{convert|120|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| school = Hartpury College

| university =

| relatives =

| position = Prop

| currentclub = Bristol Bears

| years1 = 2014–2016

| clubs1 = Bristol Bears

| apps1 = 18

| points1 = 25

| years2 = 2016–2022

| clubs2 = Leicester Tigers

| apps2 = 111

| points2 = 70

| years3 = 2022–

| clubs3 = Bristol Bears

| apps3 = 31

| points3 = 50

| repyears1 = 2015

| repteam1 = England U20

| repcaps1 = 8

| reppoints1 = 5

| repyears2 = 2016–

| repteam2 = England

| repcaps2 = 71

| reppoints2 = 30

| clubupdate = 18 January 2025

| repupdate = 15 March 2025

| medals =

{{MedalCountry|{{ru|ENG}}}}

| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =

| ru_sevensnationalteam1 =

| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =

| ru_sevensupdate =

}}

Ellis Genge (born 16 February 1995) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Premiership Rugby club Bristol Bears and the England national team.{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/255181.html|title=Ellis Genge|work=ESPN Scrum|access-date=28 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/teams/first-team-squad/ellis-genge/|title=Ellis Genge|work=Bristol Bears|access-date=20 July 2022}}

Before moving to Leicester Tigers, Genge had a brief professional career with Bristol. He played in more than 100 games during his tenure with Leicester, captaining the team to a Premiership title in 2022. In 2016, Genge made his debut for England against Wales.

Early life

Born in Bristol Genge grew up on the Knowle West council estate,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/10/13/ellis-genge-interview-leicester-tigers-prop-talks-violence-aggression/|url-access=subscription|title=Ellis Genge interview: Leicester Tigers prop talks violence, aggression and why he is always angry|first=Daniel|last=Schofield|date=13 October 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=6 March 2018}} and was educated at John Cabot Academy.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rugby/england-genge-england-rugby-bristol-6784762|title=Ellis Genge and England teammates give 'amazing' virtual training session to Bristol schoolchildren|first=Will|last=Freeman|website=Bristol Post|date=10 March 2022|access-date=20 July 2022}} He is a fan of Bristol Rovers football club.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-rovers/england-six-nations-star-is-huge-bristol-rovers-fan-and-uses-gashead-woes-as-rugby-motivation-4055766|title=England Six Nations star is huge Bristol Rovers fan and uses Gashead woes as rugby motivation|publisher=Bristol World|last1=Bryant|first1=Toby|date=8 March 2023|accessdate=6 April 2023}}

He started playing rugby aged twelve at Old Redcliffians playing in the back row.{{cite web|url=https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/21239/young-gun-ellis-genge-england-u20s-and-bristol-prop/|title=Young Gun: Ellis Genge – England U20s and Bristol prop|date= 6 March 2015|access-date=6 March 2018|publisher=The Rugby Paper}} At sixteen, Genge moved to Hartpury College and captained their rugby team to victory in the AASE league. Genge represented England at youth level from U17 up to U20. According to Genge, he was first introduced to the front row by former England youth coach Bobby Walsh originally to have as an additional option but this eventually resulted in a permanent career change.{{cite web |title=The Lockdown One With Ellis Genge|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lockdown-one-with-ellis-genge/id1438018392?i=1000478351770|publisher=Apple Podcasts: House of Rugby|access-date=15 January 2021}} Ellis Genge was an amazing player in his early years and was a threat to many teams

Club career

= Bristol (2013–2016) =

Genge joined Bristol at the age of eighteen and was convinced to change position from back row to prop by the offer of a two-year contract if he made the positional change. He went on loan to Clifton to play loosehead prop in National 2 South during the 2014–2015 season starting thirteen games and coming on as a substitute in one other match. He was also signed by Plymouth Albion, in the same season, in a dual-registation deal with Bristol, playing 2 matches.

Genge made his professional debut for Bristol on 8 December 2013 in the British and Irish Cup against Scottish side Gala, scoring a try in a 62–7 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/16/ellis-genge-aims-to-leave-leicester-on-top-after-biggest-game-of-his-career|title=Ellis Genge aims to leave Leicester on top after ‘biggest game’ of his career|first=Daniel|last=Gallan|website=The Guardian|date=16 June 2022|access-date=20 July 2022}} His first league game in the RFU Championship came against London Scottish on 26 September 2014. Genge represented England at under-17 level. He was a member of the England Under-20 squad that won the 2015 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/31134145|title=Six Nations 2015: Wales U20 21-15 England U20|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 February 2015|access-date=20 July 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/20/england-win-under-20-six-nations-title|title=England win Under-20 Six Nations title for fourth time in five years|first=Ian|last=Malin|website=The Guardian|date=20 March 2015|access-date=20 July 2022}} Later that year he started for the side that lost to New Zealand in the final of the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship to finish runners up.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/19/world-rugby-under-20-final-new-zealand-england|title=World Rugby Under-20 Championship final: New Zealand v England who’s who|first=Robert|last=Kitson|website=The Guardian|date=19 June 2015|access-date=20 July 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/33213557|title=World Rugby U20 Championship: New Zealand 21-16 England|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 June 2015|access-date=20 July 2022}}

He made 26 appearances during his first spell at the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36388070|title=Ellis Genge joins Leicester Tigers from Bristol on a permanent deal|date=26 May 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=6 June 2016}}

= Early time at Leicester Tigers =

Genge gained the attention of Richard Cockerill, moving to Leicester Tigers on loan in February 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35632331|title=Ellis Genge: Leicester Tigers sign Bristol prop on loan|date=22 February 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 May 2016}} The move was, in part, due to off-field issues, including being arrested after an away game against Ulster in 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/800809/Ellis-Genge-Bristol-Leicester-Aviva-Premiership-Rugby-Union|title=Ellis Genge opens up about going from a rebel at Bristol to becoming a Leicester cult hero|first=Neil|last=Squires|website=Daily Express|date=6 May 2017|access-date=22 June 2017}} He made his Leicester debut as substitute against Wasps on 12 March 2016, replacing Marcos Ayerza, and his first start came on 7 May 2016 against Bath at the Rec. The move to Leicester was made permanent on 26 May 2016.

Genge became a regular for Leicester in the 2016–17 season playing a club-leading 31 matches in the season. It was during this campaign he started for the side that defeated Exeter Chiefs in the final of the 2016–17 Anglo-Welsh Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39292142|title=Anglo-Welsh Cup final: Exeter Chiefs 12-16 Leicester Tigers|date=19 March 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 July 2022}} The season ended with him named the club's young player of the year and winning the Premiership Discovery of the Season Award.{{cite web|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/players-pick-their-best-of-the-season-2017-04-26|title=Players pick their best of the season|date=26 April 2017|access-date=6 March 2018|publisher=Leicester Tigers}}{{cite news |url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2017/05/18/ellis-genge-pays-tribute-to-leicester-tigers-teammates-after-scooping-land-rover-discovery-of-the-season-award/|title=Ellis Genge pays tribute to Leicester Tigers teammates after scooping Land Rover Discovery of the season award|first=Ross|last=Lawson|website=Premiership Rugby|date=18 May 2017|access-date=20 July 2022}}

On 2 December 2017 Genge suffered a shoulder injury in a league match against Wasps.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/06/england-ellis-genge-miss-start-six-nations-shoulder-surgery|title=England's Ellis Genge to miss start of Six Nations after shoulder surgery|first=Gerard|last=Meagher|website=The Guardian|date=6 December 2017|access-date=6 March 2018}} After four months injured he returned to the starting line up on 7 April 2018 against Bath in a match at Twickenham.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/apr/07/bath-leicester-premiership-match-report?CMP=share_btn_tw|title=Sione Kalamafoni shows his class as Leicester launch comeback at Bath|first=Paul|last=Rees|website=The Guardian|date=7 April 2018|access-date=8 April 2018}}

= Leicester Tigers captain =

For Leicester, Genge scored a try against Ulster in the semi-final of the 2021 EPCR Challenge Cup as Leicester came back from an 11-point half-time deficit to win.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56922047|title=Leicester Tigers 33-24 Ulster: Stunning second half Leicester fightback sinks Ulster|first=Michael|last=Morrow|website=BBC Sport|date=30 April 2021|access-date=20 July 2022}} He then started in the final as they finished runners up to Montpellier by a single point.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57186246|title=Challenge Cup final: Leicester Tigers 17-18 Montpellier - Leicester miss out on European title|date=21 May 2021|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 July 2022}}

Genge captained Leicester for the first time in September 2020, a 54–7 defeat away to Wasps,{{cite news |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/leicester-have-given-their-verdict-on-whether-first-time-captain-ellis-genge-will-skipper-them-again/|title=Leicester have given their verdict on whether first time captain Ellis Genge will skipper them again|first=Liam|last=Heagney|website=RugbyPass|date=11 September 2020|access-date=26 September 2021}} and was appointed as the club's permanent captain, replacing Tom Youngs, before the 2021-22 Premiership Rugby season.{{cite news |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ellis-genge-appointed-skipper-as-leicester-revamp-leadership-group/|title=Ellis Genge appointed skipper as Leicester revamp leadership group|first=Liam|last=Heagney|website=RugbyPass|date=26 August 2021|access-date=26 September 2021}} Genge led Leicester to their first league title for nine seasons as they beat Saracens 15–12 in the 2022 Premiership Final.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61829701|title=Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title|first=Andrew|last=Aloia|website=BBC Sport|date=18 June 2022|access-date=20 June 2022}}

= Return to Bristol Bears (2022–) =

On 15 December 2021 it was confirmed that Genge would leave Leicester in the summer of 2022 to re-join Bristol.{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/bristol-bears-sign-ellis-genge-6356091|title=Bristol Bears set to bring home England and Leicester Tigers star Ellis Genge|first=John|last=Evely|website=Bristol Post|date=15 December 2021|access-date=23 June 2022}} The signing was announced with a video that caused controversy.{{cite news |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/ellis-genge-bristol-bears-tigers-6363511|title=Ellis Genge: Bristol Bears' reveal video 'classless' claim Leicester Tigers fans|first=Bobby|last=Bridge|website=Leicester Mercury|date=16 December 2021|access-date=23 June 2022}} Genge revealed that closeness to family and the ability to see them regularly played a key part in his decision, with covid lockdowns having caused him to re-assess his priorities.{{cite news |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/ellis-genge-leicester-tigers-bristol-6480006|title=Ellis Genge sheds light on Bristol Bears move: 'Certain circumstances forced my hand'|first=Bobby|last=Bridge|website=Leicester Mercury|date=12 January 2022|access-date=23 June 2022}}

International career

= England debut (2016–2018) =

In May 2016 Genge received his first call-up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones after only one start for Leicester.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/22/ben-teo-four-uncapped-players-england-squad-tour-australia-manu-tuilagi-rugby-union|title=Ben Te’o among four uncapped players for England’s tour of Australia|first=Robert|last=Kitson|website=The Guardian|date=22 May 2016|access-date=20 July 2022}} On 29 May 2016 he made his international debut as a second-half substitute during a 27–13 win against {{nrut|Wales}} at Twickenham.{{cite news|title=England 27-13 Wales: international rugby union – as it happened|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/may/29/england-v-wales-international-rugby-union-live|work=The Guardian|date=29 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016|last1=Smith|first1=Alan}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36397174|title=England 27-13 Wales: Hosts score five tries but Ford misfires|first=Ben|last=Dirs|website=BBC Sport|date=29 May 2016|access-date=20 July 2022}} Genge was included on the 2016 England rugby union tour of Australia but was not used in any of the matches.

At the end of the season with Joe Marler and Mako Vunipola selected for the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, Genge made his first start for England on their tour of Argentina.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40206158|title=England beat Argentina thanks to Denny Solomona's late try|first=James|last=Standley|website=BBC Sport|date=10 June 2017|access-date=20 July 2022}}

= Rugby World Cup (2019) =

Genge scored his first international try in a warm-up game for the 2019 Rugby World Cup against Italy at St James' Park.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49615882|title=Rugby World Cup: England grind out warm-up win over Italy|first=Becky|last=Grey|website=BBC Sport|date=6 September 2019|access-date=20 July 2022}} He was selected for his first world cup and made two substitute appearances at the tournament both during the pool stage against {{nrut|Tonga}} and USA.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49786758|title=England 35-3 Tonga: Eddie Jones' side battle to opening World Cup win|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|website=BBC Sport|date=22 September 2019|access-date=20 July 2022}} He did not participate in the knockout phase as England finished runners up to {{nrut|South Africa}}.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50273291|title=England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|website=BBC Sport|date=2 November 2019|access-date=20 July 2022}}

= England regular starter (2020–) =

Genge scored the winning try against Scotland during the 2020 Six Nations Championship.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51407067|title=Scotland 6-13 England: Visitors reclaim Calcutta Cup and keep Six Nations title hopes alive|first=Tom|last=English|website=BBC Sport|date=8 February 2020|access-date=20 July 2022}} After the delay caused by the COVID Pandemic lockdown he came off the bench in the final round of the competition as England beat Italy to win the tournament.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54763235|title=Italy 5–34 England: Visitors' victory proves enough to win Six Nations title|first=Becky|last=Grey|website=BBC Sport|date=31 October 2020|access-date=20 July 2022}} Genge started for England as they defeated France in extra time to win the Autumn Nations Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55204300|title=Autumn Nations Cup: England beat France in sudden death|first=Mike|last=Henson|website=BBC Sport|date=6 December 2020|access-date=20 July 2022}} In July 2021 Genge scored a try against Canada.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57790719|title=England 70-14 Canada|date=10 July 2021|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 July 2022}}

Genge was included in the squad for the 2022 tour of Australia and scored a try in the first test match, which England lost 30–28.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/62020916|title=England suffer dismal defeat by 14-man Australia|first=Becky|last=Grey|website=BBC Sport|date=2 July 2022|access-date=3 July 2022}} He was prominent during the second test victory in Brisbane and then started again in the decisive final match as England defeated Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground to win the series.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/62105679|title=Australia 17-25 England: Eddie Jones' side win second Test to level series|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 July 2022|access-date=20 July 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/62190736|title=Australia 17-21 England: Tourists seal series win over Australia|first=Mike|last=Henson|website=BBC Sport|date=16 July 2022|access-date=20 July 2022}}

On 21 November 2022, Genge was named in World Rugby's team of the year as the best loosehead prop.{{cite news|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/genge-and-steward-named-in-world-rugby-dream-team-of-the-year|work=Premiership Rugby|title=GENGE AND STEWARD NAMED IN WORLD RUGBY DREAM TEAM OF THE YEAR|date=21 November 2022|access-date=26 November 2022}}

Personal life

Genge is mixed race. His father is White British{{Cite news|url=https://www.englandrugby.com/news/longform/ellis-genge-in-his-words|title=Ellis Genge, in his words.|access-date=16 October 2023|publisher=England Rugby}} and his maternal grandfather is African American. He has stated that he has Welsh family.{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2020-02-03/bristol-and-england-rugby-star-ellis-genge-to-take-dna-test-over-muhammad-ali-links|title=Bristol and England rugby star Ellis Genge to take DNA test over Muhammad Ali links|date=3 September 2020|access-date=16 October 2023|publisher=ITV}}

He has developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia).{{Cite web|url=https://rugbylad.ie/ellis-genge-talk-tv-last-night-incredible-interview/|title=Ellis Genge Was The Talk of Television Last Night Following This Incredible Interview|last=Hennessy|first=Jason|date=2018-09-06|website=RugbyLAD|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-15}}

In September 2020, Genge became a father to his first child, a son.{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12105684/ellis-genge-everything-is-different-and-strange-back-in-england-camp|title=Ellis Genge: Everything is 'different' and 'strange' back in England camp|date=16 October 2020|access-date=16 October 2023|website=SkySports}}

Genge's scrummaging has benefited from the tutelage of veteran internationals Marcos Ayerza and Dan Cole. He is known for his very powerful ball-carrying skills, aggression and work-rate.