“I felt like I was going to die,” – Ellis Genge played through horrendous pain during the Six Nations

Prior to England’s triumph over Wales in Cardiff during the Six Nations, Ellis Genge bravely battled a severe case of tonsillitis.

Despite his condition, he remarkably played for 54 minutes and stood out as one of England’s key players.

It was decided that once Bristol’s season came to an end in May, the 28-year-old would undergo surgery to remove the troublesome tonsils.

The recovery period for the operation spanned 12 days, depriving Genge of a post-season vacation before reuniting with the England squad.

“I felt like I was going to die,” Genge told Telegraph Sport.

🚨Exclusive interview 🚨

Ellis Genge in captivating form in his Leicester gym, Syn, which he owns with Sam Aspland-Robinson.

– Players trying to be something they’re not;
– His attempts to go green;
– “Underdogs” England being written off;
– Tonsillitishttps://t.co/nfDQHM8NNX

— Charles Richardson (@CRichardsonTel) June 13, 2023

“I get chronic tonsillitis anyway but usually around November. This time it came in late February, the month of my birthday – what a present that was!

“Steve asked: ‘Can you do it?’ It was too close to the game to pull out. But I had all sorts – enough diclofenac to put an elephant to sleep.

“All the meds, cracked on. I was so ill after the match that I was shaking.

“We agreed that when I got an extended period of time off I’d get my tonsils out. It was a rough 12 days.

“I wanted to go away after but obviously with the World Cup coming up I felt like I had to train and put on the weight and muscle that I had lost during that 12-day period of not being able to eat.

” I don’t mind making the sacrifice now; if I get to go to another World Cup then it will all be worth it.”

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Five biggest England omissions ahead of 2023 World Cup

England head coach Steve Borthwick has announced his first training squad ahead of the fast approaching 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The squad, which does not include players from Gallagher Premiership semi-finalists, Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, and Saracens, assembled in Bagshot on Monday 12 June as England begin their preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France which starts in September.

“We are excited to get into camp and begin the first phase of our preparations,” said Borthwick.

“The World Cup is full of top quality teams and high quality players, and we’re relishing the challenge in front of us. That all starts today at Pennyhill Park.

“We have lots to get through before our first summer series fixture in August against Wales in Cardiff, so the hard work starts now. We are looking forward to it.”

However, as it often is, it isn’t who is in but who is out that is generating the most chat across social media with the same names coming up again and again.

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#1. Sam Simmonds

Despite not having played under Borthwick before, Simmonds engaged in open discussions with the coach and subsequently made himself unavailable for selection in the training squad of 28 players, according to The Telegraph..

The number 8, born on November 5, 1994, is an English rugby player who has made a significant impact in the sport.

Playing as a Number 8 for Exeter Chiefs, Simmonds possesses incredible strength, athleticism, and a keen eye for the try line.

He has been a consistent performer at both the domestic and international levels, earning numerous accolades for his outstanding performances.

Simmonds’ powerful running and ability to offload the ball make him a formidable force in the game.