England v Wales: Ellis Genge warns of threat to visitors in Six Nations opener

Genji starts as a free-header on Saturday, with Bevan Rudd supporting him off the bench. However, injuries to frontline teammates Will Stewart, Asher Opoku Fordjour and Finn Baxter have introduced some new faces into the wider England squad.

Bath’s Felixa ‘Billie’ Sylla and Northampton’s Emmanuel Eogun, both uncapped, have been called up for the Six Nations.

Twenty-year-old Silla’s rise was particularly rapid.

He was part of England’s World Under-20 title win in July 2024, but with South Africa’s Thomas du Toit and Wales’ Stuart and Archie Griffin all tight end options at Bath, it has been difficult to get a major involvement.

Sela has made three league appearances and two more in the Investec Champions Cup this season.

Genji, who made his debut as a 21-year-old against Wales in May 2016, says the new generation of front-row talent is better prepared for the Test game than he was.

“They’re big blocks, not like we were when we were younger,” he said.

“Billy is bigger than me I think – he’s 15-foot-1. All the guys that come in, they’re young, but they’re ready.

“I wasn’t ready for Test rugby until I was 23 or 24, maybe a little older if I’m honest.

“Now the boys are coming in and they’re big, they’re strong, the neck strength is there, they’ve played a lot of Prem rugby.

“In the front row you have to be a bit rough and it’s about you. It’s difficult to get the boys up to speed, but until they prove otherwise, for me they are definitely ready to play.”