Ellis Genge has revealed that he would consider playing his club rugby abroad after the 2027 World Cup, with France or Japan on his agenda.
The Bristol Bears loosehead has always played his club rugby in England, but he says his priorities have changed as he has got older. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, Genge said that “not everything in the world revolves around being safe”.
Under current rules, any player who does not play club rugby in England cannot represent the national side. Even so, many England internationals have left their international positions to pursue better lifestyle and financial opportunities elsewhere. Joe Marchant and Courtney Lawes have recently returned, but many England players still feature in France, and some would arguably be first-team options for the national side. If Genge moved abroad under the current rules, he would become ineligible for England duty.
Asked whether French clubs had approached him in the past, Genge replied: “I’ve had contact from them quite a few times, to be honest, especially that year when I left Leicester.
“Obviously, we won the Prem, and I was captain of the Tigers, and you announce that you’re leaving the club that you’re doing so well. Like a lot of people obviously come knocking.
“I think now as well with contracts, it’s always a moving object. I don’t think anyone’s necessarily always settled because you see how much movement there is amongst clubs and teams.”
An Englishman doing something wicked
Having seen Lawes experience the French game and lifestyle, Genge now has ambitions of his own. “It’s definitely something I’d like to do,” the powerful prop said.
He added that the World Cup would be a major factor in his decision. “Depending on what happens with the international stuff and the World Cup will obviously be a massive determining factor for me. If I get the opportunity to go, then we do something incredible, then it’s another conversation again.
“It’s something I’d like to do. I like the idea of an Englishman going over there and getting written in folklore and doing something wicked.
“Obviously, I’m not saying that’s going to happen, but like Court said, they’re so behind rugby over there, just be so class to be a part of.
“You travel away to, like, Clermont. I played at Toulon away. Played at Toulouse away. Even just the atmosphere in the city when you’re there gives you goosebumps. So I’d love to experience something like that in my career.
“My missus is quite supportive of that, and equally, with Japan as well. I think that’d be wicked going over there and experiencing the culture.”
Experience over money
Genge explained that his outlook has shifted as he has grown older, and he now places greater value on new experiences. “Now my currency isn’t necessarily money; it’s experience. Obviously, you need to get paid well and look after your family and provide X, Y, and Z. But experience is important to me. So, doing new things.
“When I was a bit younger, I was like, ‘you got to conform. You have to do the norm and just stay in line’. But now I hear other people going over there and saying it’s bonkers. I’d quite like to experience it myself. Or even go to Japan. The way they operate over there is so interesting, and the experiences I could give my kids.
“I just feel that not everything in the world revolves around being safe and doing what you’re supposed to do. I think it’d be quite cool to get out there and do something a bit different.”