George Ford and Ellis Genge commit to Leicester
Leicester have announced that England international duo George Ford and Ellis Genge have agreed new contracts with the Welford Road side.
A Tigers Academy graduate, Ford made his debut for Leicester as a 16-year-old and won a Premiership with the club in 2013 before spending four seasons with Bath.
The England international returned to Leicester ahead of the 2017/18 season and was last season voted the Supporters’ Player of the Year.
A member of the England squad who finished runners up at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Ford is regarded as one of the world’s best and his contract was the subject of speculation throughout the entirety of last year.
Speaking about the new contract, Ford admitted it was pleasing to have his future at Tigers confirmed and said he only agreed the new deal knowing the “building blocks” were in place for improved results in the future.
“It’s going to be small building blocks, rebuilding little and often, rather than an overnight fix… that’s the bit that was difficult for me,” said Ford.
“I want to be successful, part of a team that is winning trophies… and in an environment that is doing that.
“I love this club… it’s not anywhere near where people want it to be.
“If I didn’t believe we could make improvements, it might have been a different story, but I genuinely believe that.
“I believe in sticking it out through tough times and coming out at the other end.”
That is how you start a New Year! 🙌
Bring on 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ pic.twitter.com/fY1Oq3Zidh
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) January 1, 2020
Meanwhile, Genge first joined Tigers on loan from hometown club Bristol in the final months of the 2015/16 season, before making the move permanent, and collected his first international cap against Wales in May, 2016.
A fan-favourite for his no-nonsense, hard-nosed approach to the game, Genge’s contract negotiations was the topic of much speculation throughout 2019 and now, with his future confirmed in the East Midlands, the ‘Baby Rhino’ admits Tigers is the club for him.
“Leicester is the club for me going forward and I am genuinely over the moon to be re-signing,” he said.
“The only way is up… it will be positive, I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t believe that.”
On a day of contract renewals, Leicester also announced that George Worth and Sam Aspland-Robinson also agreed extensions with the club.
Worth joined the club as 16-year-old and has spent seven seasons at Tigers, making his 50th senior appearance for Leicester in last weekend’s Premiership fixture at Twickenham.
Versatile outside-back Aspland-Robinson, who joined the club during the summer of 2018, has made 14 appearances for Tigers in two seasons since joining from Harlequins.