Ellis Genge edges battle with Tupou to spark England’s victory charge | Gerard Meagher

The heavyweight contest between the forwards lived up to the hype but England’s leader won a split decision against Australia

Had things turned out differently, Ellis Genge and Taniela Tupou might have been lining up together in the same side when Australia and England took to the field in Brisbane. In 2014, Fe’ao Vunipola – father of Billy and Mako – had tried to persuade the 21-stone “Tongan Thor” to join the Premiership and, given he had not committed his international future at that stage, an England career would almost inevitably have followed.

As it was, England was too far from his family for Tupou, Australia was not and eight years later, Genge and Tupou were lining up on opposing sides for the first time in their careers. They talked a bit of trash in the buildup like all good heavyweights do – Tupou had said he wanted to smash England’s loosehead, Genge told him to “get in line” – before proceeding to demonstrate why this particular individual battle whetted the appetite above all others.