England prop Ellis Genge to make Bristol return
Ellis Genge previously played for Bristol between 2013 and 2016
©PA
Bristol Bears have confirmed that England international Ellis Genge will rejoin the Gallagher Premiership club ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Genge started his professional rugby career with the Bears in 2013 and went on to make a switch to Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2016/17 season. He has gone on to make 96 appearances for the club including over 70 Premiership games for the Tigers.
He also was named the club's captain ahead of the 2021/22 season replacing Tom Youngs.
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam is delighted with Genge joining the club next season.
“Ellis is a World Class player who has grown to be a leader on and off the field for club and country. He obviously will add real value to us as a team and the whole Bristol Bears community, said Lam to the club's official website.
“The thing that impressed me most about Ellis was his genuine love for Bristol and our people. Even while at Tigers, he remained invested in the community here running rugby coaching camps for underprivileged young people from all backgrounds.
“The fact that Ellis has taken a significant pay cut to come back home emphasises his commitment to his family and wanting to inspire our Bristol Community, which is central to our Bears vision.”
Having featured for England in 31 Tests, Genge thanked the Tigers for their support and is looking forward for his second stint with Bristol.
“I’m so proud of my roots in Bristol and what the city means to me and my family. I have close relationships at the Bears and I’ve got unfinished business here – so it’s important for me to be able to come back and represent Bristol and play my role in the community.
“I want to pay tribute to Leicester Tigers and everybody who made my time there so special. It’s an unbelievable club and I have grown as a player and a person, I cannot express how grateful I am to all my teammates, coaches and fans at Welford Road.”
