Dan Cole says Ellis Genge is in the England squad on merit
Tuesday 7 November 2017 19:48, UK
Dan Cole insists fiery England prop Ellis Genge will be ready to take his place in the front row against Argentina on Saturday after turning promise into ability.
Eddie Jones may opt to rest first-choice loosehead Mako Vunipola due to his involvement in the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand while Joe Marler, ranked number two in the position, is suspended.
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The path could be cleared for Genge, a combative 22-year-old whose aggression has earned Jones' approval, to make his second Test start when the Pumas visit Twickenham, live on Sky Sports Action from 2pm.
"A year ago, when he was called in against Australia, maybe he was in there on potential, but now he's here on merit because he is one of the top two or three looseheads in the country," Cole said of his Leicester team-mate.
"Look at his form in the Premiership - he has been outstanding. I know Joe is suspended this week, but Ellis is here on merit because he's in the top two or three looseheads in the country.
"He's progressed a lot. If you look at when he came to Leicester, a year-and-a-bit ago, he was very raw. But playing week-in, week-out has helped him make massive improvements to his game.
"He's always been able to carry and he's always had that abrasive edge, but I think he's more controlled now in what he can do and how he can channel his physicality.
"He plays on edge but rarely goes over it. He brings physicality. He chats in scrums with the opposition, he is vocal around the field. That is his mentality, how he plays the game.
"I think he's got better as a defender too and his scrum has come along significantly as well. He obviously has the physical make-up - strong, powerful."
Genge, who grew up on a tough estate in Bristol, returned to his hometown for England's set-piece training session against Wales at Clifton College on Monday.
"I don't think he's from the Clifton part. We asked the schoolkids if they knew which postcode Gengie was from and no one had been to those parts," Cole said.
