Rugby / Ellis Genge
‘Ellis Genge must be picked to lead the Lions from the front’
The British and Irish Lions are preparing for their first Test match against the Wallabies down under and head coach Andy Farrell still has a few selection headaches to work out before his team takes to the field in Brisbane on Saturday.
With the opening match against Australia looming, one selection dilemma that could still be keeping Farrell up at night is who will be given the number one shirt.
While there is great competition for places in the front row, Bristol’s own Ellis Genge has done enough to earn a starting berth, breaking into the first XV with the same power and force of character that he breaks through opposition defences.
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Loosehead prop is a position that could define the tone of the first Test match, and few players are better equipped to set that tone than Genge.
Ellis Genge is currently on his first Lions tour – photo – British and Irish Lions
In any match, establishing dominance in the set piece is key for wrestling control of the game away from the opposition and giving your flair players a platform to do what they do best.
This becomes all the more necessary in tight Test matches like each Lions Test in Australia is expected to be. As such, a strong scrummaging pack will be essential if the Lions have any chance of roaring to victory in the series.
During the early part of his career, Genge was no stranger to facing criticism for his lack of discipline at scrum time. The forward has himself acknowledged that he would often let his frustration get the better of him, losing focus on his technique in the scrum.
Over the years, however, Genge has drastically improved his scrum technique, particularly since being under the tutelage of England’s scrum coach Tom Harrison.
Ellis Genge rejoined Bristol Bears ahead of the 2022-23 season – photo – British and Irish Lions
Ireland’s Andrew Porter is the other contender for the starting spot at loosehead prop. A top-class operator and a world class scrummager who has been a major part of Andy Farrell’s peerless Irish pack for years, his selection would also help the Lions achieve the dominance they will need in the scrum.
In a forward line that will be largely made up of Porter’s Irish teammates, Farrell may also favour familiarity and cohesion and pick Porter on that basis.
That being said, Porter’s scrummaging has begun to receive some criticism over the past 12 months or so. His aggressive technique and tendency to ‘bore in’ on the opposing tighthead prop at an illegal angle has started to be penalised more regularly by referees in recent times as they aim to crack down on this element of his game.
Genge has been rock solid in the scrum in the Lions’ pre-Test matches, offering comparable security to Porter at the set piece. But where Genge truly excels is with ball-in-hand.
The Knowle West native, nicknamed ‘Baby Rhino’ for his explosive power and dynamism in the loose, consistently gains valuable metres in attack, breaks over the gain line and creates momentum for his team.
Genge is one of the world’s best when it comes to puffing out his chest, sticking his head down and crashing through opposition defences with his unmatched power. In what was arguably a player-of-the-match performance, Genge set up a Tadhg Beirne try in the Lions’ warm up match against Argentina in Dublin with a trademark barrage.
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This led former Ireland front-rower Bernard Jackman to praise the Englishman when comparing him to his Irish counterpart Porter in this regard. “The carry that Genge has is way more than Porter and that is going to be so important,” Jackman said.
Defensively, Genge has been a leading light in a Lions shirt so far too. In addition to his soft hands, Genge has a reputation for being a very hard tackler. He made all but one of his tackles in the game against the Brumbies in Canberra last Wednesday, showing reliability without the ball to complement his dynamism with it.
If Lions selection must reflect form, Genge has surely forced his way into the number one jersey come Saturday. Off the back of his outing against Argentina, former England international Stuart Barnes labelled Genge’s display a “perfectly timed riposte to the doubters”.
Genge is a firm fan favourite – photo – British and Irish Lions
But it isn’t just form that sees Genge as the standout pick to start at loosehead. The Bears man has, over the course of his career, matured into a natural leader, casting off the negative perceptions perpetuated by rivals and critics alike.
While he maintains the intensity for which he is known, he now channels it in a more disciplined fashion, with the charisma and character to carry his team on his mammoth shoulders.
If Genge starts on Saturday, he will most likely do so alongside Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan. The Leinster forward’s recent quotes about Genge show how much respect his teammates have for him, even if they are used to seeing him as the antagonist.
“It’s mad how fast you can go from despising people to hanging around for a coffee with them,” Sheehan said about his Lions tourmate. “Everyone loves his energy and humour. He’s definitely someone that surprises you that he’s not a dickhead.”
Before the match against the Brumbies last Wednesday, Genge displayed how much of a leader he has grown into, calling for togetherness as he took on the responsibility of addressing his fellow Lions in the pre-match huddle with an impassioned speech.
“The bonds we’ve made over the last few weeks as a team need to shine through today,” said Genge in a YouTube clip posted by the Lions. “Show your mate what you’re about today. It has to be relentless.”
These leadership traits, which dovetail nicely with the more statesmanlike qualities of Lions captain and England teammate Maro Itoje, give Genge an added edge in his competition with Porter for the starting spot.
Passionate and fiery on the pitch, now with the maturity to harness it, Genge could be an emotional engine for his team, as he was in England’s series win against the Wallabies in 2022.
Former England captain Genge is already a leader within the Lions squad – photo – British and Irish Lions
Genge brings power, form, passion and proven Test experience to the Lions squad which will do battle with Australia over the coming weeks. And while there is great competition for places in the starting XV, the Lions will not only need a man that can do his job competently, but when push comes to shove, as it always does in a Lions Test match, they will need individuals who can and will rise to the occasion.
Genge has proven that right now, he can be that man. He doesn’t just tick the boxes for a Lions starter, he smashes through them, embodying the spirit required of a British and Irish Lion: courageous, confrontational and capable of carrying his team to victory. If the Lions are to roar in Brisbane, they will need Genge leading the charge.
Main photo: British and Irish Lions
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