Bristol boss Pat Lam has hailed Ellis Genge’s “immense” contribution to the England tour of Australia. Genge, who links up with Bristol later this summer after captaining Leicester to their first Gallagher Premiership title, produced outstanding form as England claimed a 2-1 Test series triumph Down Under.
The 27-year-old prop excelled throughout, continuing from where he left off with Tigers and during England’s Guinness Six Nations campaign.
Genge, along with his England squad colleagues, is now on a break after returning from Australia. But the Bristolian’s west country return is eagerly awaited, heading up a list of new arrivals that also includes former Sale Sharks fly-half AJ MacGinty and Scotland international forward Magnus Bradbury. “Ellis was immense on the tour and he was immense all season for England and Leicester,” Bristol rugby director Lam said. “When you talk to him, you can see why. “Guys had to fill in some forms here – the internationals don’t have to do it as they are currently away – but Ellis was one of the first guys in the group to do it, sending stuff in and communicating, and he’s not even here.” Lam believes that Genge prospered as Leicester skipper, adding: “It adds to your game. “I always challenge guys to try and prepare and think as though they are the captain, because it does change the way you think – it is the bigger picture. “I think everyone knows the growth Ellis is making and he will definitely be in our leadership group. “He is back home and excited to be back home and, whether he has got a title or not, he is still going to be a massive leader in the group. “A lot of the guys here, it is not really about the title they have, it is about the impact they will have throughout the