Champions Cup: Leicester captain Ellis Genge ‘can’t wait’ for Clermont challenge

Dylan Coetzee

File photo dated 23-10-2021 of Leicester Tigers' Ellis Genge who will miss the Autumn Nations Series match against Australia on Saturday after testing positive for Covid, the Rugby Football Union has announced. Issue date: Friday November 12, 2021.

Leicester captain Ellis Genge is thrilled at the prospect of running out at one of the more daunting venues in France as they shift their attention to European competition.

Clermont Auvergne is the next hurdle for coach Steve Borthwick’s men as they travel to the Stade Marcel-Michelin for a last-16 Champions Cup clash.

Daunting venue to travel to

Leicester have won there but only in 2006 and failed to win in any of their last three visits to the ground.

With three finals reached between 2013 and 2017, Clermont‘s passion and European pedigree makes the clash a very appealing prospect for Genge.

“I got asked earlier this season what stadium would I want to play at in France, and I said Clermont,” he said.

“Their fans, their passion, I am all over that.

“It reminds me of our home ground. I love it. I think it is amazing. What a stadium, and I can’t wait to get over there and get involved.

“I’ve played at Bordeaux, Toulon, Racing, and obviously the France game (with England) the other day in Paris – what an atmosphere that was.”

With a quarter-final on the line, it is a boost for Leicester that George Ford may be involved after leaving the field with an ankle injury against Exeter less than 10 days ago.

“He’s doing well. I said at the time that he was very positive, and he continues to be really positive,” Borthwick said.

“This adventure we are on in Europe, it’s brilliant. We went away to Bordeaux, which was an incredible atmosphere, then we went off to Connacht.

“Now, we go to Clermont, which we are all excited about in what is a fantastic competition.

“It is not every week you get to go and play in places like Clermont. We are learning a lot, and we are eager to get going on Sunday.”

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