Genge likely to be fit for Italy game
ELLIS GENGE is expected to be fit for the start of England’s Six Nations campaign after the prop completed a ‘Wolverine-style’ recovery to train with Steve Borthwick’s side at their Spain camp.
Prop Genge, a certain starter for England when firing on all cylinders, had been a doubt for the tournament opener with Italy in Rome on February 3 after suffering a hamstring injury in training with his club Bristol Bears at the start of December.
But the 28-year-old, who features in the recently released Netflix documentary Full Contact, trained with England in Girona on Wednesday and also took part in a gym session yesterday.
Genge’s Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam yesterday confirmed the prop won’t return from England preparations in Europe to feature for his team against Bath in Saturday’s Premiership fixture. But he also indicated he expects his star man to play against Italy.
‘He (Genge) trained with us last week in a team session and was knocking a few people around and getting right into it,’ Lam said.
‘Obviously for Steve it’s about the build-up to the Italian game.
‘After seeing the way he trained with the team last week and how he was on Monday before he left, I’m pretty confident I expect to see him running out if Steve wants to play him.’
The expected availability of Genge and the return from injury of his fellow loosehead prop Joe Marler is a boost for Borthwick ahead of the 2024 Championship.
Earlier this week, England lost key centre Ollie Lawrence to injury, while hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and rookie back Oscar Beard also withdrew from Borthwick’s squad lame.
‘The rehab has been long, daunting. It’s tough watching everyone else playing,’ Genge said earlier this month. ‘Unfortunately I’ve been sitting on the sidelines pulling my hair out.
‘They said the hamstring has healed. They said [it is] miraculous, like Wolverine.’
England yesterday confirmed they will face former head coach Eddie Jones twice this year after his Japan side completed their autumn fixtures.
Jones was sacked as England boss in December 2022 and is now back for a second stint with Japan after a nightmare spell in charge of Australia.
The Brave Blossoms will be England’s final autumn opposition in November after three huge clashes with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. England will also play Japan in Tokyo on June 22 prior to their away Test series with the All Blacks.