Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

England explain plan for possible Ellis Genge absence versus Wales

By PA
England's Ellis Genge in action versus Italy last Sunday (Photo by Bob Bradford/CameraSport via Getty Images)

England have revealed there are “plans in place” to cover for Ellis Genge’s possible absence from the Guinness Six Nations clash against Wales on Saturday. Prop Genge’s partner Megan is due to give birth in the coming days, and their third child arriving on match day is a possibility.

ADVERTISEMENT

Should the 70 times-capped Bristol forward be unavailable, then it is expected that Harlequins’ Fin Baxter would replace him, with 20-year-old Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour providing bench cover.

England vice-captain Genge took part in training at the Principality Stadium on Friday. “Obviously, look, his wife (is) due, but we have got plans in place to cover that if he needs to shoot off,” England scrum coach Tom Harrison said. “We are all ready for that.”

Video Spacer

Will Felix Jones be the next Bok Head Coach? | RPTV

Video Spacer

Will Felix Jones be the next Bok Head Coach? | RPTV

The Boks Office boy speculate as to whether Felix Jones’ return could set him up for a long term future with the Springboks. Watch the full show now on RugbyPass TV.

Harrison confirmed that Opoku-Fordjour, who made his Test debut against Japan earlier this season, is with the England squad as a travelling reserve. Asked if Genge would attend the birth if it happens on Saturday, Harrison added: “That will be a discussion with himself, Steve (Borthwick, the England head coach), and his wife.”

Genge indicated after England’s open training session in York two weeks ago that he would be present for the birth. England go into the Wales encounter with Six Nations title hopes, effectively requiring a five-point maximum and a Scotland victory over championship favourites France in Paris.

Six Nations

P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
France
4
3
1
0
16
2
England
4
3
1
0
15
3
Ireland
4
3
1
0
14
4
Scotland
4
2
2
0
11
5
Italy
4
1
3
0
4
6
Wales
4
0
4
0
3

Wales, in contrast, are stiving to avoid the wooden spoon for a second successive season, although their scrum is an area of strength under coaching consultant Adam Jones. “They are a strong outfit,” Harrison said. “You have got Nicky Smith and WillGriff John who have been playing in the Premiership most of the season, so they will know our players well.

ADVERTISEMENT

“They are well-coached by Adam Jones, who knows a lot of our players because he has coached against them. We are expecting a real challenge up-front. Adam has done a good job in terms of improving their scrum. We are looking forward to having a good contest Saturday.

“He is a unique individual, from my dealings with Adam. He has got their players believing in what he is coaching. He has changed their attitude around the scrum and made it important.”

Related


To be first in line for Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia tickets, register your interest here 

ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 37 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

Cape Town | Leg 2 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series 2025 | Full Day Replay

Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 36 | Six Nations Round 3 Review

Why did Scotland's Finn Russell take the crucial kick from the wrong place? | Whistle Watch

England A vs Ireland A | Full Match Replay

Kubota Spears vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | JRLO 2024/2025 | Full Match Replay

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
g
ge 17 hours ago

Wouldn’t it be better for the team if Genge just stepped aside this week? Instead of the uncertainty over his availability or not? There have already been so many squad changes, bit sure this aids Borthwick and his cohesiveness.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

K
Krissy Kummins 24 minutes ago
Louis Lynagh makes 2 bold England predictions

I am Krissy by name, greetings to everyone reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my husband after six years of marriage because another woman had a spell on him and he left me and the 3 kids to suffer. One day when I was reading through the web, I saw a post on how this spell caster on this contact drakerecospellcaster@gmail.com or WhatsApp: +2202890676 has helped a woman to get back her husband and I gave him a reply to his contacts and he told me that a woman had a spell on my husband and he told me that he will help me and after two days, I will have my husband back. I believed him and today I am glad to let you all know that this spell caster called Dr. Akereco, has the power to bring lovers back and help you in any situation. I'm happy with my husband. Thanks for Dr. Akereco. 

You can also reach him through his

Email Address: drakerecospellcaster@gmail.com WhatsApp: +2202890676 website: http://drakerecoproblemssolutionhome.website2.me

5 Go to comments
K
Krissy Kummins 57 minutes ago
Jettisoning your best attacking player makes no sense – Andy Goode

I am Krissy by name, greetings to everyone reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my husband after six years of marriage because another woman had a spell on him and he left me and the 3 kids to suffer. One day when I was reading through the web, I saw a post on how this spell caster on this contact drakerecospellcaster @ gmail. com has helped a woman to get back her husband and I gave him a reply to his contacts and he told me that a woman had a spell on my husband and he told me that he will help me and after two days, I will have my husband back. I believed him and today I am glad to let you all know that this spell caster called Dr. Akereco, has the power to bring lovers back and help you in any situation. I'm happy with my husband. Thanks for Dr. Akereco. 

You can also reach him through his

Email Address: drakerecospellcaster @ gmail . com

26 Go to comments
K
Krissy Kummins 58 minutes ago
Jettisoning your best attacking player makes no sense – Andy Goode

I am Krissy by name, greetings to everyone reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my husband after six years of marriage because another woman had a spell on him and he left me and the 3 kids to suffer. One day when I was reading through the web, I saw a post on how this spell caster on this contact drakerecospellcaster@gmail.com or WhatsApp: +2202890676 has helped a woman to get back her husband and I gave him a reply to his contacts and he told me that a woman had a spell on my husband and he told me that he will help me and after two days, I will have my husband back. I believed him and today I am glad to let you all know that this spell caster called Dr. Akereco, has the power to bring lovers back and help you in any situation. I'm happy with my husband. Thanks for Dr. Akereco. 

You can also reach him through his

Email Address: drakerecospellcaster@gmail.com WhatsApp: +2202890676 website: http://drakerecoproblemssolutionhome.website2.me

26 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Crusaders vs Force takes: Let's talk about Sevu Reece, forgotten All Black returns Crusaders vs Force: Let's talk about Sevu Reece
Search