Create an experience with Ellis Genge

From Bristol UK, Ellis Genge is a professional rugby union player. Currently playing for Leicester Tigers as a loosehead prop, Ellis also played for Bristol from 2013-2016. Ellis began playing at the age of twelve for Old Recliffians. Ellis has established himself as a powerful ball carrier with strong aggression and work rate. Ellis has been open publicly about his experience with a coordination condition, dyspraxia, and how it affected his ability on the field, as well as his troubled youth dealing with aggression and run-ins with the law. 

Rugby Career 

Ellis quickly advanced in the sport and by 16 was captaining Hartpury College’s rugby team. With success leading their team to victory in the AASE League, he was picked to represent England in the under 17 to 20 team. By 18, Ellis Genge signed a two year contract with the Bristol Bears, changing from his usual position of back row to prop, and in 2014, Ellis Genge began playing for his home team Bristol in the RFU Championships. Ellis went on to play all five of the matches for England under 20’s World Championships in June 2015. In 2016, Ellis moved to the Leicester Tigers on loan as a result of off-field issues, and made his debut for the team in March. In May, his move to the team was made permanent, and soon received his first call up to the England squad. 

In 2017, after becoming a regular player for Leicester and playing 31 matches for the season, he was recalled to the England team for the 2017 Six Nations Championship. Ellis was also listed in the 2017 Autumn Internationals, playing against Argentina and Samoa, after missing out on selection in 2016. 

In 2017, a commentator nicknamed Ellis Genge ‘the baby rhino’ for his explosive performances on the field - known for his power and pace with his ball-carrying skills and aggression. 

Career Highlights 

In the beginning of his career playing for Hartpury College, he won two AASE League titles and a Player of the Year award. 

In the 2016/17 season, Ellis won the Young Player and Best Newcomer awards for the Leicester team. Ellis was also nominated for the RPA Young Player awards. 

COVID’s Impact on Ellis 

In 2021, Ellis Genge spoke on mental health and psychological effects as a result of COVID and having to spend up to nearly two months in England’s biosecure bubble whilst playing in the Six Nations Championship. Ellis used the opportunity to urge the England team to make the toll worth it by finishing the championship on a high. Ellis has mentioned that life while playing has been subject to a number of restrictions. Players weren’t able to socialise indoors or eat at the same table, which Ellis mentioned the burden these limitations placed on the entire team. Ellis also highlighted the reluctance from the players to speak openly about their mental health, stating the effect COVID has had on a number of people struggling to cope under new conditions. Ellis also further stated that although sacrifices have had to be made during this unconventional period, there lies a strong importance to lean on each other and pull together. 

Ellis’s Youth and Run-Ins with the Law 

In 2018, Ellis disclosed the details of his youth on a TV interview. Speaking on his experience with dyspraxia - a condition that affects physical coordination in children - Ellis struggled with hand-eye coordination and school work. Ellis is praised for overcoming the odds and becoming an elite rugby player, despite struggling with the condition. 

Though his nickname ‘baby rhino’ is now representative of his power, aggression, strength and agility on the field, Ellis mentioned that he struggled to control his aggression as a teenager. Ellis stated he’d been arrested a number of times growing up, however encourages young people who also deal with aggression to channel these emotions on the field and use it to their advantage, rather than permitting it to emerge off-field and affect their personal life and relationships. 

Dealing with Public Criticism 

In 2021, Ellis revealed he had been the target of a number of death threats on social media after a video surfaced of the player not clapping opponents off the pitch. Though Ellis condemned online hate and death threats, he touched on its ability to be used as a vehicle to unite the team, and encouraged players to offer support to one another in hard times. Ellis Genge mentioned the online hate had reminded him of the importance of sticking together and to find laughter and enjoyment during the difficult times to avoid dwelling on a situation. 

Book Ellis Genge

With experience in sport and competing internationally for his country, Ellis Genge would be a rewarding addition to any TV sports panel or even as a guest speaker for sports related events, in schools, or for ceremonies. Ellis has the potential to raise valuable discussions and ideas centralised around working as an athlete throughout COVID, dealing with external criticism, or making good decisions as a young person and controlling aggression. To hear more about Ellis' journey as a teenager and as a professional athlete, book Ellis Genge for a TV sports panelist, or guest speaker.

Other: 

Ellis Genge’s story - England Rugby:  

How Ellis Genge earned his nickname ‘baby rhino’ - Powerful runs, aggressive bump offs and big hits: