Britain prop Ellis Genge has marked a modern “long-term” contract with Bristol Bears, the club have declared.
A item of their institute, the 29-year-old forward was a key portion of the Bears’ solid conclusion to final season which saw them win six of their last seven matches of the association season, lost out on the play-offs by two focuses.
“Ideally it’s not the conclusion, a long contract, so clearly I feel at domestic presently,” Genge told BBC Radio Bristol. “To be genuine I didn’t figure it out how imperative it was to me.”
Genge moved back to hometown club Bristol within the summer of 2022 taking after a six-year remain at Leicester Tigers, where he captained the side to a Prevalence title in his last season.
“For me to leave obviously Leicester winning the Prem [Premiership title in 2022] and then coming straight here, it was a big ask,” Genge added. “My family said, ‘what are you doing?’, but I knew it was the right decision.
“The training ground, compared to 90% of the other clubs, is above and beyond. That obviously is a big pull, going somewhere at work every day which you think this is wild.
“It was an easy one for me. I’m from here and when I put a Bristol shirt on, it actually means something to me. I probably am on par with how passionate I am about playing for England as what I am for playing for Bristol.”
Genge is excited about the Bears’ upcoming season and added: “If you’re not first you’re last. No-one remembers who finishes [in the] top four, they remember who wins.
“Personally, I’d love to bring back a trophy to Bristol and, hopefully, inspire a few more people from my neck of the woods to take up rugby.”
Genge played 54 minutes in Bristol’s 24-3 win over Newcastle Falcons in their Gallagher Premiership opener on Friday.
