Warrington Wolves are preparing to launch an audacious bid for England rugby union star Ellis Genge.
Warrington, coached by former cross-coder Sam Burgess, offered Gjenge a surprise move to Super League when his contract with Bristol Bears expired.
Genge has played 58 test matches for his country and is one of the most well-known players in the 15-a-side squad.
Weighing in at 18 stone 13 pounds and six feet tall, the loose-head prop is a tough ball-carrier and physically gifted, and could function in either the front or back row in rugby league.
Warrington, which is backed by major music promoter Simon Moran, has a long history of encouraging rugby union stars to change their team code.
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Former Northampton and England centre Luther Burrell spent a year at Wolves after leaving Saints in 2019.
The 36-year-old made eight appearances for Warrington's first team before returning to Newcastle Falcons in 2022.
Wales dual-code international Jonathan Davies made over 60 appearances for Wolves in the mid-1990s.
In addition to Burgess, who played for Bath and England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Wolves' current coaching staff also includes Martin Gleeson.
Gleeson knows Genge well having previously served as attack coach at Wasps and England under Eddie Jones.
In 2023, Gleeson revealed on the Out of Your League podcast that he would like to try his hand at rugby league.
“Ellis Genge is a good kid. He loves the league,” Gleason said.
“He's one of the few forwards I've seen that loves rugby league. He wants to play.”
“I was speaking to John Clarke and he was actually going to go down to Wigan for a few days to train with us.
“He loves it so much he's dying to play.”
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Warrington, who face St Helens at home on September 28 in the Super League play-off, believe the physically gifted Genge has the natural qualities to succeed in a 13-a-side team if he makes the move.
We understand Warrington CEO Carl Fitzpatrick formed a relationship with Genji after meeting him at a celebrity fishing event in July.
Due to Super League salary cap rules, the Bristol forward's contract does not count towards Warrington's total.
This new talent pool allocation means that Genji's contract will be worth £0 in the first year of his contract and 50% of its value in the second year.
The outspoken forward from the southwest of England is widely regarded as one of the best loosehead props in rugby union.
Both Warrington and Genge have been contacted for comment.
