Ellis Genge
Ellis Genge (born 16 February 1995) is an English rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby who made his international debut for in 2016. His position is prop. Genge played 26 times for Bristol between 2013–2016. He is known for his aggressive ball carrying. Early life. Born in Bristol Genge grew up on the Knowle West council estate, and was educated at John Cabot Academy. He started playing rugby aged 12 at Old Redcliffians playing in the back row. At 16, 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. Career. Bristol. Genge joined Bristol at 18 and was convinced to change position to prop (from the back row) by the offer of a two-year contract if he changed position. Genge went on loan to Clifton Rugby Club to play loose head prop in National 2 South in 2014/15 starting 13 games and  coming in as a sub in 1. 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. His first league game in the RFU Championship came against London Scottish on 26 September 2014. 2015–16 season. Genge gained the attention of Richard Cockerill, moving to Leicester Tigers on loan in February 2016. The move was, in part, due to off-field issues, including being arrested after an away game against Ulster in 2015. 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. On 28 May 2016 he received his first call up to the squad after only one start for Leicester Tigers. He made his international debut on 29 May 2016 at Twickenham as a 66th-minute substitute in a 27 – 13 win against . Genge traveled on the 2016 England rugby union tour of Australia but was not used in any of the matches. 2016–17. Genge became a regular for  Leicester in the 2016–17 season playing a club-leading 31 matches in the season. After missing out on selection for the 2016 Autumn Internationals, he was recalled to the England squad for the 2017 Six Nations Championship. The season ended with him named the club's young player of the year and winning the Premiership Rugby Discovery of the Season Award. With many key players missing due to the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, Genge was called up to the England squad for the 2 test tour of Argentina, starting both games, and also featuring in the  warm-up game against the Barbarians. 2017–18. Following a strong start to the 2017–18 season Genge was named in England's squad for the 2017 Autumn Internationals and played against and . On 2 December 2017 Genge suffered a shoulder injury in a Premiership Rugby match against Wasps. After four months injured Genge returned to the starting line up on 7 April 2018 against Bath in a match at Twickenham. 2019–Present. Genge captained Leicester for the first time in September 2020, a 54-7 defeat away to Wasps, and was appointed as the club's permanent captain, replacing Tom Youngs , before the 2021-22 Premiership Rugby season. Style of play. 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. Personal life. Genge has developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia). International tries. "As of 17 November 2021"