'You've got a small mouth' - Ellis Genge explains what caused heated moment with Tom Curry during PREM clash between Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks

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Ellis Genge suggested he would be fined if he revealed what was said during his heated exchange with England team-mate Tom Curry. The two forwards clashed during Bristol Bears' Gallagher Prem win over Sale Sharks. The two players, who are also British & Irish Lions team-mates, had to be separated and came together on other occasions in the match, but were later seen laughing together.

'I don't want any fines' - Genge hints at what he said to Curry after scuffle

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Ellis Genge suggested he would be fined if he revealed what he said to Tom Curry when the pair clashed during Bristol Bears’ PREM victory over Sale Sharks.

Less than five minutes into the fiery contest at Ashton Gate, there was a coming together between the teams when Bristol won a penalty at a scrum.

The two England team-mates then had a hold of each other during a heated interaction, with players on both sides looking to defuse the situation.

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Asked at full-time what he said to Curry, Genge joked: "I don't want any fines, I said, ‘You’ve got a small mouth, Tom’."

'He is riled up' - Curry and Genge collide during explosive start to Bristol against Sale

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At the time of the clash, Alastair Eykyn said on TNT Sports: "Sparks are flying, Genge and Curry together."

Chris Ashton said: "Big dogs scrapping. You've got to feel like Tom Curry’s trying to take responsibility, being the older brother of [James] Harper, backing up his mate.

"But Ellis Genge at home, home crowd, he’ll be loving that."

Sam Warburton added: "I reckon there's going to be a big hit from Tom Curry, he is riled up."

The pair were seen getting a hold of each other on other occasions, but did share a smile after one of their later coming-togethers.

'The boys were outstanding' - Genge 'proud' as Bristol go top

Bristol's narrow 19-17 victory has taken them up to the top spot in the PREM, leading second-placed Northampton Saints by points difference.

Pat Lam's side have now won their last four league matches, while they have won six on the spin in all competitions.

Ahead of Friday night's clash with Sale, who remain in seventh, the hosts were drawing on the embarrassment of their 38-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture last season.

"We spoke about that before the game," Genge said, after winning a third successive player of the match award.

"I watched that game from that seat over there. I said to the boys, 'It can't happen again'.

"I’m a bit overwhelmed with the physicality, the emotion. The boys were fantastic, all of them could get this [player of the match] medal, somehow I’ve nipped it. The boys were outstanding."

'That is high class stuff' - Ravouvou finishes off a sublime Bristol try to wrap up the win

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Bristol got over the line thanks to tries from Joe Owen, Matias Moroni and Kalaveti Ravouvou, with the latter coming nine minutes from time to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the match.

The victory saw Lam's side climb from fourth to first in the table, going two points ahead of Bath and a point ahead of Exeter Chiefs.

But with Bath and Exeter meeting on Saturday, victory for either side in that contest will see them move ahead of Bristol, while Northampton can reclaim top spot with a win over Harlequins.

Despite this, Genge is delighted with the progress of his team and the form they have shown in recent weeks.

Asked about going top, he said: "We’ll enjoy it for a few hours, but if I'm doing the maths right, someone else has to go top tomorrow.

"So we aren't there yet, but the boys have been fantastic over the last five weeks. I'm so proud of the group."

Bristol Bears now have a three-week break from the PREM, with Investic Champions Cup ties against Pretoria Bulls and Bordeaux Begles before they visit Exeter on January 24.

Sale, meanwhile, have Investec Cup games against Durban Sharks and Toulouse before a return to the PREM with a home match against Northampton.

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