England prop Ellis Genge has committed his future to Bristol Bears by signing a new “long-term” contract, the club has confirmed.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
The deal, which comes with a substantial pay rise, establishes Genge as one of the top earners in the Premiership.
The 29-year-old, a product of the Bears’ academy, was instrumental in Bristol’s late-season surge, where they won six of their last seven matches, narrowly missing out on the play-offs by just two points.
“Hopefully it’s not the end, a long contract, so obviously I feel at home now,” Genge told BBC Radio Bristol. “To be honest I didn’t realise how important it was to me.”
Genge rejoined his hometown club in 2022 after six years with Leicester Tigers, where he captained the team to a Premiership title in his final season.
“For me to leave Leicester after winning the Prem and then coming straight here, it was a big ask,” Genge said. “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 I am for playing for Bristol.”
England players wages revealed with £460k-a-season Marcus Smith now the fourth highest earner
Which players are not being rewarded for their consistent performances? Which Englishmen are receiving eyebrow-raising amounts of money each season? And who, rightly or wrongly, is being paid the most?
#5. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) – £430,000 per season
Curry, the dynamic flanker of Sale Sharks, commands a £430,000 salary. Known for his relentless work rate and uncompromising physicality, Curry epitomizes the modern openside flanker.
A stalwart in both club and international arenas, his defensive prowess and breakdown expertise make him a nightmare for opponents.
