Early career Ellis was a junior at
Castleford Lock Lane prior to signing for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Academy side in 1999.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Ellis made his first team début in 1999, he broke into the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats team in 2000, and he made over 100 appearances for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
Leeds Gareth Ellis was transferred from the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats to the Leeds Rhinos in 2005. As
Super League IX champions, Leeds Rhinos faced
2004 NRL season premiers,
Canterbury-Bankstown in the
2005 World Club Challenge. Ellis played at in Leeds Rhinos' 39–32 victory. Ellis played for Leeds Rhinos in the
2005 Challenge Cup Final at in their loss against
Hull FC. Ellis also received a
2006 Super League Grand final runners up medal. He played for
Leeds Rhinos as a in their
2005 Super League Grand Final loss against the
Bradford Bulls. In February 2008, Ellis agreed to a contract with Australian
National Rugby League club,
Wests Tigers, for a three-year deal commencing in 2009. Ellis was named in the
Super League Dream Team for 2008's
Super League XIII season. He played in the
2008 Super League Grand Final victory over
St Helens.
Wests Tigers against the
Newcastle Knights at
Campbelltown Stadium Great Britain forward Gareth Ellis cited a lifestyle change and the desire to test himself on the biggest stage for his reasons to quit
Super League champions
Leeds at the end of the new season. Wests Tigers coach
Tim Sheens praised new signing Gareth Ellis on making a decision based purely on a challenge rather than money. He joined the list of British players who have played for the Wests Tigers joint venture through
Balmain Tigers and
Western Suburbs Magpies –
Andy Currier,
Ellery Hanley,
Lee Crooks,
Garry Schofield and
Harvey Howard. Gareth Ellis became the first Great Britain
forward to switch to the
NRL since former
Sydney Roosters hitman
Adrian Morley spent six successful seasons in Australia. Ellis made his NRL début against the Canberra Raiders in round 1 of 2009, and played in 22 games for the season. After not scoring in 2009, he managed 6 tries in 2010. He produced his first off a toe poke from Robbie Farah in round 1, and scored a double against Penrith in round 23 as the team amassed 43 points. During his second season with the Wests Tigers, Ellis signed an extension until the end of 2013. Coach
Tim Sheens said, "In my time here, dollar-for-dollar, he's been the best buy this club has had." Reduced to 18 appearances in 2011, Ellis made a trip to Britain mid-season, suffering from an ankle injury and home-sickness. However, he played well enough to be named the Wests Tigers Player of the Year for the third consecutive year.
Hull F.C. It was announced on 28 February 2012 that Ellis was looking to return to Super League in 2013 which has sparked a flurry of interest from Super League clubs to sign the player. On 21 March 2012 it was announced he would be joining Super League club
Hull FC. Ellis Captained Hull F.C. to victory at Wembley in the Challenge Cup in two successive seasons 2016 & 2017. However, Ellis returned to the Hull F.C. playing squad after being retired from the sport for 18 months, helping them end a 13 game losing run. Ellis retired for the 2nd and final time at the end of the 2020
Super League XXV season ==Representative career==