Leicester Tigers appoint Ellis Genge as new club captain

Leicester Tigers have announced that England international Ellis Genge will take over the captaincy ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Genge will take over the reins from Tom Youngs, who will continue to be part of the think tank according to head coach Steve Borthwick.

“Tom Youngs has been an exceptional leader for Leicester Tigers for several seasons and, while not as captain, he will continue to be a senior player in our group.

“His time as club captain has been during one of the toughest periods in the club’s history and Tom has been integral to building the foundations to help turn Tigers around, which he is committed to being a part of in a different way this season.

“He is as passionate a clubman as I have come across and, in every way, thinks of the team and his team-mates before himself, including his decision to stand down from the role ahead of this season."

Meanwhile, Genge joined Leicester Tigers in 2016 and has made 89 appearances for the club since then. In his first full season at the club, Genge received the Young Player and Best Newcomer awards and Premiership Rugby Discovery of the Season, as well as earning a nomination for RPA Young Player of the Year.

The 26-year-old has also featured in 30 Tests for England between 2016 and 2021 and featured in two World Cup games in 2019.

“Ellis epitomises what we, Leicester Tigers are about; hard work, toughness and a desire to continue to improve," said Borthwick on Genge's appointment.

“He has set the example in everything that he does, on and off the pitch, since I arrived at Tigers and possesses a great ability to bring people together.

“It gave me great pleasure to appoint Ellis as club captain, but even more pleasure to see the reaction from his team-mates to the news of his appointment.”

Meanwhile, Leicester have also appointed Hanro Liebenberg as the vice-captain for the upcoming season. He has made 36 appearances for the club since his debut in September 2019.