Harlequins 28-53 Bristol: England left sweating over Ellis Genge’s fitness after calf injury as Bears miss out on play-offs despite emphatic win

Ellis Genge has picked up a calf injury which has put him in doubt for England’s summer tour games with Japan and New Zealand as Bristol just missed out on a place in the play-offs.

Genge is a vital figure for national head coach Steve Borthwick and an undisputed first choice at loosehead prop when fit. He also captained his country and was vice-captain under Borthwick.

The 29-year-old was forced off in the first half of his side’s thrashing of Harlequins. The win would have been enough for the Bears to reach the semi-finals, but they were undone by Sale’s win at Saracens.

“He got his calf in the scrum,” Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said of Genge’s injury.

“I don’t know how bad it is.” Hopefully for England it’s not as bad as it looks.

England are sweating on Ellis Genge’s fitness after he picked up a calf injury against Harlequins on the Premiership’s opening day

Genge has been a key player for England, who face Japan and New Zealand in their tour matches this summer

He was undisputed first choice at loosehead prop under Steve Borthwick (left)

Genge was carried off the field with the help of three Bristol paramedics and ended the afternoon with his leg in a protective boot and on crutches.

Borthwick will now be sweating on the fitness of one of his most important players ahead of a meeting with Japan in Tokyo on June 22 and two Tests with New Zealand on July 6 and 13.

Genge scored one of Bristol’s seven tries and also had another cleared before limping off.

Lam lost Genge, Benhard Janse van Rensburg (hip) and Callum Sheedy (knee) to a trio of knocks in the first half, but still couldn’t stop his side from running riot.

Sheedy damaged his posterior cruciate ligament, meaning he will be sidelined for at least four months. It’s bad news for his new club Cardiff, who he will join this summer.

Bristol played some superb rugby as Harlequins were put to the sword for the second week running.

The only shame for Lam was that Sale’s shock win meant their scintillating rugby was redundant.

James Williams opened the away scoring after just 55 seconds. Genge managed two and Gabriel Ibitoye, Harry Thacker, Max Lahiff, Noah Heward and Gabriel Oghre completed the run.

The Bears won the game in comfortable fashion, but ultimately missed out on a playoff spot

As they were against Exeter last weekend, Harlequins were in contention at the break before running out of fluff. Chandler Cunningham-South, Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore scored home tries.

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson said: “In the last two weeks we have conceded 53 and 58 points. We scored four tries and didn’t even come close. Fair play to Bristol, they ran it all and we got cut to ribbons. The last two weeks have been stinging.