Genge given a rest – but other stars return to fold

BRISTOL Bears will tackle Gallagher Prem table-toppers Northampton Saints today without England and British & Irish Lions prop Ellis Genge.

- JOHN EVELY

Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has opted to use this weekend to rest the star prop after the 30-year-old featured in all four of England’s Autumn International victories.

World Rugby regulations stipulate that players who have played significant minutes during the Autumn series are required to have a mandatory week off in one of the first three club games in this block. That means either missing this weekend's Prem clash or a fixture in European competition.

Lam said: "Gengy is having his break now. He has been involved in all four Test matches and involved in the leadership of England and driving the success of that team, so we thought it was best for him to get away on holiday, and he will be back next week, but all the other internationals are back in.

"It was a no-brainer to rest Ellis. I have played international rugby as a leader. And it is not just the physical part of it, when you are a leader, you don’t just go back to your room after training and have a coffee, there is so much to do, and it is very taxing. He needs a chance to refresh."