Leicester Tigers captain Ellis Genge is reported to be heading back to Bristol Bears next season in what would be a huge coup for director of rugby Pat Lam.
Bristolian Genge came through the club’s academy but left the club before Lam’s arrival for Leicester Tigers midway through the 2015/16 season, following a series of problems both on the field, and off it.
The 26-year-old loosehead prop grew up on an estate in Knowle West and felt he had to leave the city after getting arrested several times. There were also unconfirmed reports the feisty forward was involved in a training ground bust-up with then Bristol coach Andy Robinson.
But the move to Tigers was an inspired one and he was quickly offered a permanent deal at the club, establishing himself as first choice on the right side of the scrum.
Since then Genge has gone from strength to strength and in 2016 he made his England debut against Wales.
This season he was named Tigers club captain and has helped the Midlands side go unbeaten to sit atop the Gallagher Premiership table as well as winning away in France last weekend in the Heineken Champions Cup against French Top 14 leaders Bordeaux Begles.
Now with 31 England caps to his name, Genge has also been added to Eddie Jones’ senior leadership group as he continues to mature as a player and curb his hot-headed moments while keeping the competitive edge that makes him a world-class player.
In 2019 Lam, who has put having Bristolians in his team at the heart of his vision for the club, tried to bring Genge back to the club but Bristol Live understands that contract offer did not match the salary he was on at Welford Road.
However today, Telegraph Sport, report Genge is set to join Sale Sharks fly-half AJ MacGinty in linking up with Lam in 2022/23.
The paper reports that with two similar contract offers on the table, it is Genge’s desire to be nearer to his family that has motivated him to return to Bristol.
In recent years Lam has brought Bristolians Dave Attwood, Yann Thomas and Mitch Eadie to the club.
The Bristol boss also signed England's first choice tighthead Kyle Sinckler from Harlequins in 2020 meaning the Bears could have two thirds of the national side's starting frontrow in their back in 2022/23.
Former England international Nathan Hughes looks set to leave the Bears in the summer which would free up considerable room within the club's salary cap even with the reduced salary cap.
Speaking about Genge, who has publically stated in the past he would like to return to his hometown club, Lam said back in 2019.
“Would we like Ellis Genge to come home? Of course we would.”
Earlier today Leicester Tigers confirmed Genge had told the club he will not be activating an option in his contract to remain beyond the current season.
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick said: “This is a personal decision for Ellis, which I know has not been easy for him, and, while disappointed, we respect his reasons for choosing to depart at season’s end.
“It has been a great privilege of mine to work with Ellis over the past five years, first with England and even more closely since I joined the club.
“We have a long way to go this season and Ellis is fully committed to finishing his time at Leicester Tigers in the same professional, passionate way he has represented Tigers during his six seasons at the club.”
Genge added: “I’ll be forever grateful for what this club has given me.
“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.”
