England prop Ellis Genge is once again being linked with a big-money move away from Bristol Bears, with two French clubs reportedly showing interest.
According to Neil Fissler, Top 14 sides Bordeaux-Bègles and Pau are among the clubs interested in signing the British & Irish Lions prop.
Interest from Japan is also understood to remain.
Ellis Genge could leave Bristol early
Ellis Genge is contracted to Bristol until the summer of 2028, meaning Bears are under no immediate pressure to sell one of their biggest names.
However, Fissler reports that interested clubs believe a deal could potentially be struck a year early.
That would open the door for Ellis Genge to leave Ashton Gate following the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Any move would almost certainly come with a significant financial package given Genge's status as one of the leading loosehead props in the game.
The England star returned to his hometown club Bristol in 2022 after six years with Leicester Tigers.
He has since remained a major part of both the Bears and England packs.
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Five things you might not know about Ellis Genge
1. He was diagnosed with dyspraxia at 14
Genge has spoken openly about being diagnosed with dyspraxia as a teenager.
The condition can affect coordination and fine motor skills, and Genge struggled badly with handwriting growing up.
In an interview with The Rugby Journal, he revealed that during one assessment he managed just two largely illegible handwritten words in a minute. On a computer, he could type around 30.
His mum had noticed the problem years earlier and even bought him specially adapted pens with thick grips to try to help.
2. He says rugby saved him from prison
Genge grew up in Knowle West, Bristol, and has never hidden the fact that he got into trouble when he was younger.
He has spoken about being arrested several times before the age of 16 and the difficult environment he was growing up in.
Speaking to Bristol24/7 about his childhood, Genge admitted: “Rugby definitely saved me. It saved me from prison time for sure.”
3. He wanted to be a number eight
Genge might be one of the most recognisable loosehead props in rugby, but he didn't grow up dreaming of playing in the front row.
He started out in the back-row and wanted to play number eight for his local club, Old Redcliffians.
His move to prop eventually changed the course of his career, with Bristol offering him a professional contract.
4. Rugby wasn't the only sport he tried
Genge's father encouraged him to try several sports when he was growing up.
He had a go at boxing, judo, karate and football before eventually finding his home in rugby.
The British & Irish Lions looked back at Genge's unusual route into professional rugby after he was selected for the famous touring side.
5. He started helping troubled youngsters while still a teenager
Genge's experiences growing up also led him to try to help youngsters facing similar problems.
Early in his professional career, he became involved with Impact Mentoring, working with young people who were getting into trouble.
Speaking to Rugby World in 2015, Genge explained that he wanted to use his own experiences to help others avoid making the same mistakes.
