Ellis Genge has ranked the three toughest players he has ever faced
Rugby NewsFriday, 18 November 2022 at 21:37
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.
Kyle Sinckler of England looks to offload during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
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.
Vincent Koch of South Africa looks dejected during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
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.”
Ellis Genge of England (digitally altered) during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. Marcus Smith
- Age: 23
- Club: Harlequins
- Position: Fly-half
“There’s no ceiling to how good he can be,” said Jones. “If he keeps on wanting to get better, keeps having a learning mindset, he could be an absolutely outstanding player at Test level by the World Cup. And obviously that’s pretty important, to have a good 10.”
Try Celebrations for Marcus Smith of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#3. Maro Itoje
- Age: 27
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Second-row
"I've never seen a guy mature as much as he has in the last six months so it's been a really good period for him," Jones said.
"I'm going to contradict myself - and contradiction's a big part of life - but I've got no doubt in the future he will captain England. Whether that's in my time or someone else's time."
Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#4. Tom Curry
- Age: 23
- Club: Sale Sharks
- Position: Flanker
Jones said: “One man who’s done remarkably well for England is Tom Curry. You look at the way his game has developed since he came into the team during the last Lions tour in 2017.
“He’s played at 6,7 and 8 for us and I can really see his game developing to another level. He came in as a very strong defensive player but I think he can really develop his attacking game in a similar way Richie McCaw did.”
“There is no limit to where his game can go.”
Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Owen Farrell
- Age: 30
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Centre/Fly-half
"We're happy with the way he is going but like any part of our organisation he can improve," he said.
Jones added to BBC Sport: "He can improve in the way he speaks to the referee, he can improve in the way he leads the team. But we are all open to that sort of scrutiny."
Owen Farrell (c) of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
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