Ex-Tigers skipper Genge joins Bears’ leadership group

ENGLAND star Ellis Genge is set to be added straight into Bristol Bears’ leadership group when he returns to the club having captained Leicester Tigers to the Premiership title last season, writes John Evely.

Director of rugby Pat Lam has not had a club captain so to speak since he arrived at Bristol in 2017, with former All Black Steven Luatua his go-to skipper in recent years following ex-Tigers forward Jordan Cranes’ retirement and transition into coaching and Siale Piutau’s departure for Japan, with the likes of Joe Joyce and Callum Sheedy among the current crop of players to also lead the side.

Genge, pictured, is unlikely to replace Luatua as the club’s primary on-field leader, but Lam said Genge comes across as a leader in everything he does, a trait recognised by England head coach Eddie Jones who has added him to the national side’s leadership group as well.

Lam hailed Genge’s “immense” contribution to England’s 2-1 series win over Australia this summer where he put in indomitable performances to see him heralded as one of the best loosehead props, if not the best, in the world at the moment. “Ellis was immense on the tour and he was immense all season for England and Leicester.

When you talk to him, you can see why,” Lam said.

And Genge, who was effectively carted out of his home town of Bristol five-and-half-years ago – before Lam arrived – for a training ground bust-up with then coach Andy Robinson, is already impressing his new boss with his work ethic.

Lam said: “Guys had to fill in some forms here – the internationals don’t have to do it as they are currently away – but Ellis was one of the first guys in the group to do it, sending stuff in and communicating, and he’s not even here.”

He believes that Genge prospered as Leicester skipper, adding: “It adds to your game.

“I always challenge guys to try and prepare and think as though they are the captain, because it does change the way you think – it is the bigger picture.

“I think everyone knows the growth Ellis is making and he will definitely be in our leadership group.

“He is back home and excited to be back home and, whether he has got a title or not, he is still going to be a massive leader in the group.

“A lot of the guys here, it is not really about the title they have, it is about the impact they will have throughout the group.”