In a result that has prompted early soul-searching within the British & Irish Lions camp, Friday’s 28–24 loss to Argentina may well have yielded one major positive take-away: Ellis Genge has surged into the lead to start at loosehead prop in the Test series.
While much of the Lions’ performance at the Aviva Stadium was disjointed and inaccurate, Genge’s showing in the opening 50 minutes stood apart. The England prop was at the heart of a dominant scrum, made repeated dents as a carrier, and brought his trademark edge to a pack still finding its cohesion.
His performance did not go unnoticed by former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman, who told The Rugby Pod after the match:
“I was tempted to give it [Man of the Match] to Ellis Genge, I know he went off but he was so good. Farrell certainly would’ve been frustrated with the replacement front row, because they were actually up against a much inferior replacement front row for Argentina and they couldn’t get real dominance.”
Jackman went further, hinting that the No.1 jersey for the Test series may already be decided:
“I would say [the Lions can’t live without] Genge. I don’t think Andrew Porter has been as good the past 18 months. If he was starting a Test match you’d have no worries whatsoever, but the carry that Genge has is way more than [Porter] and that’s going to be so important.”
While the Bristol looshehead’s credentials as a powerful ball-carrier are well established, his scrummaging—long perceived as the weaker side of his game since converting from the back row—stood up firmly to the challenge of the Argentine front row. Alongside Finlay Bealham, he laid waste to the Pumas’ starting trio, winning key penalties and driving the platform for what should have been a decisive period for the Lions.
Jackman wasn’t the only one impressed with Genge. Writing in The Sunday Times, columnist Stuart Barnes said: “On Friday night, he [Genge] offered a perfectly timed riposte to the doubters before the flight to Australia, where a significant challenge awaits the Lions scrum. Spectators will remember Genge bursting through the heart of Argentina’s defence but Joel Sclavi will recall being put in just about every position a tighthead should not find himself.”
