Home is where the heart is

A bit of a bombshell at Leicester Tigers this week with news that captain and England loosehead Ellis Genge has opted not to extend his contract at the end of this season and will therefore leave the club when this campaign finishes.

With reports suggesting that he is likely to join his hometown club, Bristol (where he would up with follow England prop Kyle Sinckler in what would be a formidable front row) Genge’s reasoning is understandable – the pull of returning home being such a major factor.

It will nevertheless be a huge blow to the Tigers – who Genge has led to a 100% winning record so far this season – and to head coach Steve Borthwick who has worked wonders in transforming the Leicester squad from the rabble of 18 months ago and who will also lose the services of fly half George Ford – moving to Sale Sharks, 20 miles down the road from his Oldham birthplace – at the end of the season.

Home may ne where the heart is, but that is scant consolation for Borthwick or the Tigers.

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was