Genge ruled out of England Summer tour to Japan and New Zealand
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Ellis Genge of Bristol Bears sits on the pitch after sustaining a calf injury to his left leg, and is replaced during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Bristol Bears at The Stoop on May 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Ellis Genge will play no part in England’s summer tour to Japan and New Zealand after sustaining a long-term calf injury in last weekend’s Premiership fixture against Harlequins.
The 29-year-old loosehead limped off the field in Bristol’s final game of the season with the help of two medical staff in the 35th minute of their 53-28 thumping of Harlequins.
He was unable to return to the game and was spotted leaving the stadium in a protective boot while on crutches.
Pat Lam, Bristol’s Director of Rugby said after the game: “He popped a calf in the scrum. I don’t know how bad it is, but for him to come off and be in a moon boot afterwards probably is a sign of it.”
The extent of the injury has now been revealed as Genge is expected to miss ten weeks of action, which means he will miss England’s three-test tour against Japan and New Zealand altogether.
Steve Borthwick will now have to turn elsewhere at loosehead prop with Harlequins duo Fin Baxter (who was earlier named in the Premiership Team of the Season) Joe Marler, Bath’s Beno Obano and Sale’s Bevan Rodd the headline options.
England’s summer starts against Japan in Tokyo on the 22nd of June before they move on to New Zealand for two July clashes with the All Blacks
Genge is now the second key member of Borthwick’s pack to be ruled out for the tour as lock Ollie Chessum is also unavailable through injury.
