England prop Ellis Genge has warned that Wales, despite recent struggles, could be a formidable opponent when the sides meet at Twickenham on Saturday.
Wales Struggling but Not to Be Underestimated
Wales have lost 20 of 22 Tests since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and a controversial domestic restructuring continues to affect the team. Several top players, including Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, and Aaron Wainwright, have signed with English clubs for next season. Meanwhile, players like Tomos Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, and Dafydd Jenkins are already playing in the Premiership.
Bookmakers have listed Wales as clear outsiders, offering odds of 28-1 for the visitors at Allianz Stadium.
“Sometimes when there is turmoil behind the scenes, it can bring a team together. For Wales, no fixture is bigger than England,” Genge told Rugby Union Weekly. “Even if they are a bit damaged, coming to Twickenham will not be easy by any means.”
New Coach, New Challenges
New head coach Steve Tandy leads Wales into his first Six Nations campaign. He previously oversaw Scotland’s defence and is working to rebuild Wales after a difficult autumn series.
Genge says the 73-0 loss to world champions South Africa does not fully reflect Wales’ current form. Many first-choice players were unavailable due to club commitments. He points to their performance against New Zealand, where Wales stayed within three points for nearly an hour before eventually losing 52-26, as a better indicator of their capability.
“They were brilliant against New Zealand for 50 or 60 minutes. They definitely have quality, and we expect a strong challenge on Saturday,” Genge added.
England’s Front Row Faces Injuries but Welcomes New Talent
Genge will start at loose-head prop, with Bevan Rodd on the replacements bench. Injuries to Will Stuart, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, and Fin Baxter have opened opportunities for young talents like Bath’s Vilikesa ‘Billy’ Sela and Northampton’s Emmanuel Iyogun, both uncapped.
Twenty-year-old Sela has quickly risen through the ranks, having helped England win the under-20 World Cup in July 2024. Despite limited senior experience, Genge believes the young props are ready for Test rugby.
“They are bigger and stronger than when I started. The youngsters are young but ready. They have played a lot of Premiership rugby, and they have the strength and toughness required for the front row,” he said.
Genge added that England’s new generation is better prepared for the rigors of Test matches than he was at their age.
