'You want players to be robots?' - Ellis Genge explains pre-match comments aimed at Exeter's Harry Williams

3:41pm, 21 December 2019

Ellis Genge has taken to social media to explain his pre-match comments aimed at Exeter Chiefs’ prop Harry Wiliams.

Talking to BT Sports’ Ben Kay, the England prop said in relation to the scrums between Leicester Tigers and Exeter: “I just hope it stays up to be honest.”

“I’ve been chatting to Harry (Williams) all week, I sent a letter two weeks ago, contemplating this game. I sent a letter to his address in Exeter.

“I don’t know if he opened them yet. He knows what’s coming.”

"Ugh… I just hope it stays up to be honest."
"I've been chatting to Harry, I sent a letter, he knows what's coming."
Ellis Genge is ready for the battle in at scrum time…
Brilliant ? pic.twitter.com/6dPc6W3ZIL
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 21, 2019

His comments were widely received in the humour they were meant, although the loosehead felt he had to take to Twitter to explain them afterwards, presumably after a minority online didn’t see the funny side of the prop trash talk.

“Why’s everyone losing their minds over a bit of craic between me and arry, you lot need to relax do you want players to be robots and give you 0 personality. Well done Exeter Chiefs, you lot are class safe journey home, thanks to our fans too! Merry Christmas everyone.”

Why’s everyone losing their minds over a bit of craic between me and arry, you lot need to relax do you want players to be robots and give you 0 personality. Well done @ExeterChiefs you lot are class safe journey home, thanks to our fans too! Merry Christmas everyone.
— Gengey (@EllisGenge) December 21, 2019

What followed was a deluge of people applauding him for breaking the mould with some funny trash talk. The target of the banter himself – Harry Williams – clearly saw the funny side.

“Just a joke guys, bit of fun. It’s all love. Merry Christmas.”

Just a joke guys, bit of fun. It's all love. Merry Christmas.
— Harry Williams. (@HarryWilliams91) December 21, 2019

England wing Anthony Watson tweeted: “Talk the ting Genge. What happens when u try have fun”.

Talk the ting Genge. What happens when u try have fun ??
— Anthony Watson (@anthonywatson_) December 21, 2019

Will Carling backed him up, saying: “Don’t ever change mate – real fans appreciate how special you are – the rest are really not worth a second thought !! I love you.”

Don’t ever change mate – real fans appreciate how special you are – the rest are really not worth a second thought !! I love you ? https://t.co/RkDLqXOsyY
— Will Carling (@willcarling) December 21, 2019

Ugo Monye tweeted: “Loved it”.

Loved it!
— ugo monye (@ugomonye) December 21, 2019

Former roommate and Bristol Bears flyhalf Callum Sheedy Tweeted: “Relaxxxxxxxx… Up the genge. Congrats on the big 5.0 roomie.”

Relaxxxxxxxx… Up the genge. Congrats on the big 5.0 roomie ?
— Callum Sheedy (@Sheedy95) December 21, 2019

The game needs more like Ellis Genge, not less.

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