'This is a personal decision': Ellis Genge to leave Leicester

Leicester have been rocked by the revelation that England prop Ellis Genge will leave the Tigers at the end of the 2021/22 season after the club captain decided not to activate an option in his current contract to remain on with the current Gallagher Premiership leaders. He will become the second high profile player to leave next summer as out-half George Ford has already decided he won’t be around for the 2022/23 season and will instead play for Sale.  

It is expected Genge will now sign for Bristol, although there was a rumour last month linking him to Saracens. A Leicester statement read: “Tigers can confirm that Ellis Genge has indicated to the club that he will not be activating an option in his contract to remain beyond the current season.

“The 26-year-old has made 96 appearances for Tigers since his debut during the 2015/16 campaign as a loan signing from his hometown, Bristol. The loosehead prop received a call up to the national squad in 2016 after making the move to Leicester, gaining his first Test cap in May against Wales.

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“Genge joined the club on a permanent basis ahead of the 2016/17 season and was appointed club-captain ahead of the current campaign, replacing Tom Youngs in the role.”

Leicester boss Steve Borthwick said: “This is a personal decision for Ellis, which I know has not been easy for him. While disappointed, we respect his reasons for choosing to depart at the season’s end.

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“It has been a great privilege of mine to work with Ellis over the past five years, first with England and even more closely since I joined the club. We have a long way to go this season and Ellis is fully committed to finishing his time at Leicester Tigers in the same professional, passionate way he has during his six seasons at the club.”

Genge added: “I will be forever grateful for what this club has given me. I have created lifelong friendships and learned a great deal. The club has been amazing in understanding my reasons for this decision and I will continue to give everything I have got for the boys and the fans of Leicester Tigers for the rest of this season.”