Leicester Tigers have agreed a new deal with international Ellis Genge.
The front-rower has made 70 first-team appearances for Leicester since making his debut in March 2016.
Initially signed on loan from Bristol, Genge made the move permanent at the conclusion of the 2015/16 season and has now extended a contract which the loosehead prop re-signed in January of this year.
A fan-favourite at Welford Road, the hard-hitting, hard-running Genge is a senior figure in the Leicester squad at just 25 years of age.
Speaking about the renewed deal, Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby Geordan Murphy said: “Ellis is a unique individual who we love having at Leicester Tigers.
“I said in January, when he last re-signed, that what most excites me about Ellis is that he still has so much left to do in the game and so much growth in him as a player.
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“You forget he is only 25, given what he has already achieved, and if he continues on the path he is on, with mentors like Boris Stankovich, Brett Deacon and now Steve Borthwick here in Leicester, it’s exciting to think about what we will get to see Ellis do in a Tigers shirt.
“He is passionate about this club, committed to his team-mates and what we are building at Tigers and to have him extend his deal, among more than 15 other players this week, is promising and exciting for everyone in Leicester.”
Ellis Genge facts | 10 things you didn’t know about the prop
1. Starting out
He started playing rugby aged 12 at Old Redcliffians. At 16 Genge moved to Hartpury College and captained their rugby team to victory in the AASE league.
2. Position change
The now world-class prop began his career in the back-row. He actually looked pretty good..
3. Nickname
The 24-year-old Leicester Tigers front row was nicknamed 'the Baby Rhino' by a commentator back in 2017 for his explosive performances. It's fair to say, it's stuck.
4. Disability
Genge has developmental coordination disorder, also known as Dyspraxia. Different types of dyspraxia can affect writing, speech and other movements involved in learning. Forever inspiring us, Genge has gone onto help kids going through the same struggles.
5. He has a son on the way
The prop, who likes to keep his private life well hidden, shared the gender reveal video on his Instagram back in March, but made sure to keep his Welsh girlfriends face out of frame.
6. Generosity
The prop gifted the mobility scooter he used when recovering from a knee injury to a older Leicester Tigers supporter who really needed it.
7. Keen gamer
He names League of Legends as his favourite online game, but he has also played Fifa in a number of tournaments throughout lockdown.
8. Arrests
"If you wanna talk about it, we'll talk about it. I was a baby then. I got arrested, a few of my mates got arrested. Three GBH and a few things I won't ever open the doors on. I want to make it clear that I never got charged for any of that. They were just fights and scuffles that never should've happened. "
9. Muhammad Ali
Genge, who is currently on England duty in the Six Nations, shares a link with boxing legend Muhammad Ali via his grandmother. She was born in the United States near Ali’s parents and they shared the same surname - Grady. If you look closely, there is actually a resemblance!
10. This story from Nigel Owens
“One of the main talking points from last weekend was England prop Ellis Genge’s interview after the match, in which he had scored an important try,” Owens wrote in his weekly column for Wales Online.
“I know Ellis Genge pretty well as a player as I’ve reffed him many times. He always comes up after the game and he sent me a message after the France game saying “well done on a great game and a great career”. I have a lot of respect for him.
