England and Leicester Tigers prop Ellis Genge has been discussing the three toughest props he has faced during his career so far.
He returned to Bristol Bears in the summer of 2022 after six and half years at Leicester Tigers.
A product of Bristol’s Academy, Genge made 28 outings before departing for Leicester Tigers in 2016.
The powerhouse prop captained the Tigers to a remarkable Gallagher Premiership title in 2022 before returning to his boyhood club.
Ellis Genge: Toughest Opponents:
#3. Kyle Sinckler
- Age: 28
- Club: Bristol Bears
- Caps: 58 England caps/6 Lions
The tighthead prop represented the Lions for the second successive tour after being called up to Warren Gatland’s squad for the 2021 tour of South Africa.
Sinckler, who joined from Harlequins, has 58 caps for England and represented his country at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
He featured in all three tests on the Lions’ tour to New Zealand in 2017 and is one of World Rugby’s leading stars.
DID YOU KNOW? He has a dog called Brody
#2. Vincent Koch
- Age: 32
- Club: Wasps
- Caps: 31 South Africa caps
The 32-year-old has 31 caps for the Springboks, which include impressive performances in their 2019 Rugby World Cup win and last summer’s series triumph against the British and Irish Lions.
Koch’s destructive scrummaging as part of South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’ saw him play a key role en route to them winning the William Webb Ellis trophy.
The 6ft 1in, 120kg forward, renowned for his great athletic ability, has made over 100 appearances for Saracens, helping them to win two European Champions Cups and two Premiership titles before joining Wasps ahead f the 2022/23 season.
DID YOU KNOW? Koch was named in South Africa’s squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. South Africa won the tournament, defeating England in the final
#1. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Age: 29
- Club: Leinster
- Caps: 57 Ireland caps/6 Lions
Genge said: “Furlong is an absolute monster. He’s a player I have a lot of respect for.”
“Our leader” – Eddie Jones reveals the five ‘nailed-on’ players for his World Cup XV
#1. Ellis Genge
- Age: 27
- Club: Leicester Tigers
- Position: Prop
“Ellis will tell you that he is from the wrong side of the tracks and we’re quite happy for him to stay on the wrong side of them,” Jones said.
“Can he take a formal leadership role? There’s no reason why he can’t, whether that’s in the future, or now.”
