England’s Ellis Genge is ready to drop everything and miss Saturday’s clash with Wales to be at his pregnant partner’s side. Prop Genge was on red alert at the team hotel in Cardiff ready to rush to Megan’s side with the birth of their third child imminent. Genge is due to start against Wales but if he does have to dash home to the west country Harlequins youngster Fin Baxter would be promoted to starting loose-head.
And Sale’s Asher Opoko-Fordjour, who has just one cap but is with the squad as travelling reserve, would be put on the bench. England scrum coach Tom Harrison said: “He’s still here. His wife is due but we’ve got plans in place to cover that if he needs to shoot off. So, we’re all ready for that.”
Genge, 30, recently insisted he would have no hesitation in leaving camp to be present at the birth even if it meant missing a Test match.
He said: “That is your main role, as a father you have got to be there for your family, as a provider. My missus is Welsh and I live in Bristol so it is not too far.”
Genge is a vice-captain of the side and with 70 caps his absence would leave a hole in the leadership group.
He has started the last eight Tests for England and his form has put him in the frame for a British & Irish Lions spot this summer.
His absence would be a huge blow particularly with England coming up against an improved Wales front row Saturday afternoon thanks to the input of legendary prop Adam Jones.
Harrison added: “You’ve got Nicky Smith and WillGriff John who have been playing in the Premiership most of the season. They are well coached by Adam Jones, who knows a lot of our players because he has coached against them with Harlequins.”
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