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Gareth Ellis says he'll leave Wests Tigers at the end of this year with a heavy heart and hopefully wearing a NRL premiership ring.
The England international arrived at the Tigers from Leeds with a big reputation in 2009 and has exceeded expectations.
His consistent performances won him the Tigers player of the year award three times in as many seasons, cementing his spot as one of the finest back-rowers in the world.
The 31-year-old returns to the UK at the end of the year where he'll link up with Super League side Hull FC, who are coached by Tim Sheens' former assistant at the Tigers, Peter Gentle.
And although he has no regrets about his decision to move back to Yorkshire, Ellis wants a premiership to take back with him.
"That would be the dream ending and the reality is we have the team to do it," Ellis told AAP.
"But at the end of the day, I am not going to let that justify whether I have enjoyed my experience here or not.
"I've loved every minute of it. Not just the football side of things - living here has been fantastic."
Ellis admits he was unsure if he would last in the NRL when he first arrived, but is now dreading the day he has to say farewell to his teammates.
"I had a lot of apprehension about being an Englishman coming out here and playing in the NRL," he said.
"But now I am just another player, one of the boys and part of the club."
Ellis and former English greats Ellery Hanley and Gary Schofield were recognised by the Tigers last week at a dinner to commemorate their contribution to the club.
And Ellis said being mentioned in the same breath as Hanley and Schofield, who played for Balmain in the 1980s, was a huge thrill.
"I am very proud to be associated with that, and very honoured to be in the same company as Gary and Ellery - two greats of the game," he said.
Ellis nominates Luke Lewis as one of the toughest players he has faced in the NRL and said he'd love to see the NSW and Australian star take his place in 2013.
Lewis has been granted an early release from the final two years of his Penrith contract to seek a new challenge and Ellis said he'd be a perfect fit for the Tigers.
"He would be a great acquisition for the club, regardless of who is coming and going," Ellis said.
"He is an absolutely brilliant player and, by all accounts, a great bloke off the field as well. He's the full package."
Lewis' manager Greg Willett was in hospital coming out of minor surgery when contacted by AAP and unable to comment on his client's future plans.
http://www.nrl.com/ellis-dreading-nrl-farewell-to-tigers/tabid/10874/newsid/68544/default.aspx
The England international arrived at the Tigers from Leeds with a big reputation in 2009 and has exceeded expectations.
His consistent performances won him the Tigers player of the year award three times in as many seasons, cementing his spot as one of the finest back-rowers in the world.
The 31-year-old returns to the UK at the end of the year where he'll link up with Super League side Hull FC, who are coached by Tim Sheens' former assistant at the Tigers, Peter Gentle.
And although he has no regrets about his decision to move back to Yorkshire, Ellis wants a premiership to take back with him.
"That would be the dream ending and the reality is we have the team to do it," Ellis told AAP.
"But at the end of the day, I am not going to let that justify whether I have enjoyed my experience here or not.
"I've loved every minute of it. Not just the football side of things - living here has been fantastic."
Ellis admits he was unsure if he would last in the NRL when he first arrived, but is now dreading the day he has to say farewell to his teammates.
"I had a lot of apprehension about being an Englishman coming out here and playing in the NRL," he said.
"But now I am just another player, one of the boys and part of the club."
Ellis and former English greats Ellery Hanley and Gary Schofield were recognised by the Tigers last week at a dinner to commemorate their contribution to the club.
And Ellis said being mentioned in the same breath as Hanley and Schofield, who played for Balmain in the 1980s, was a huge thrill.
"I am very proud to be associated with that, and very honoured to be in the same company as Gary and Ellery - two greats of the game," he said.
Ellis nominates Luke Lewis as one of the toughest players he has faced in the NRL and said he'd love to see the NSW and Australian star take his place in 2013.
Lewis has been granted an early release from the final two years of his Penrith contract to seek a new challenge and Ellis said he'd be a perfect fit for the Tigers.
"He would be a great acquisition for the club, regardless of who is coming and going," Ellis said.
"He is an absolutely brilliant player and, by all accounts, a great bloke off the field as well. He's the full package."
Lewis' manager Greg Willett was in hospital coming out of minor surgery when contacted by AAP and unable to comment on his client's future plans.
http://www.nrl.com/ellis-dreading-nrl-farewell-to-tigers/tabid/10874/newsid/68544/default.aspx
