Ellis Genge reached his rugby summit by being selected for the Lions for Saturday’s Test opener against the Wallabies – then revealed he is still getting tips from Eddie Jones on his game.
The Bristol prop messaged his former England boss recently and got a swift rundown of his performance in the win over the Brumbies last week nearly three years after Jones was axed by Twickenham chiefs.
Jones gave Genge his first look at touring as an international player, bringing him down under on England’s tour in 2016 as an apprentice, along with Kyle Sinckler, when they did not play a Test in the 3-0 drubbing of Australia.
Six years later Genge, was a leading figure in the 2-1 series win that proved to be Jones’ last tour as head coach of the Red Rose outfit before he was shown the door.
But the loose-head is still in touch with Jones and said he owes the Aussie despite him having no time for niceties before firing back his analysis.
Genge said: “I texted Eddie the other day. He gave me feedback on my game straight away. He didn’t even acknowledge what I said. I wouldn’t have him any other way.
“That 3-0 whitewash in 2016, I didn’t play but it was unreal.
“We tried to get out of the way as much as we could, because we knew we weren’t going to be involved much in the Tests.
“That wasn’t a bad then, we were taken to be exposed to these environments. What it did show me is what happens when a team pulls together, and friendships and memories you can make while you’re away and being part of a touring environment. This is my third tour to Australia so I’m getting quite used to it.”
Genge is a different beast from the one who turned up down under in 2016, has piled on the pounds, eating his way into becoming a world-class scrummaging and ball-carrying front rower.
The 30-year-old added: “When you saw me burst on the scene at 21, I was 114-115 kilos and I could actually move quite fast. I was 126kg two days ago – so I’m heavier now and it’s all downhill from here!