🔗 Share this article

Leicester Tigers freshly appointed team skipper Ollie Chessum has been given the green light to make his return to domestic action against Harlequins this weekend. While the vast bulk of British & Irish Lions squad members are barred from returning to their clubs until a later date, the Leicester player has obtained special dispensation.

Chessum, who was injured for much of last season, only started a limited number of fixtures and featured from the replacements in a handful of games. Despite being involved in all three Lions Tests facing the Australian side, the player welfare committee managing the well-being of top players has authorized him to compete against Harlequins at Leicester's stadium in the next fixture.

Divergent Situations for Squad Mates

The Quins, by comparison, will lack Chessum’s fellow Lion Marcus Smith, who is required to postpone one more week before rejoining the fray. In contrast to Owen Farrell, who was also sidelined for a large part of the prior campaign and was reinstated for Saracens’ opening Prem game, Smith played in thirty-four games last season, featuring five Lions tour fixtures and must take a required downtime.

Drive from Historic Setback

Chessum, nevertheless, is eager to start and prove that Leicester can prosper during the upcoming term in spite of the loss of their former coach and a number of key individuals. Leicester competed in the domestic championship decider in June, but Chessum says their heavy 80-12 continental competition setback by Toulouse is the game that has supplied their lasting drive. “We felt strongly of ‘We are never going to that place again’. No matter how we train, regardless of how we are coached, regardless of tactics, we are not returning.”

“That was the biggest setback in the franchise's past and to say you were part of that is embarrassing truly. So, it pains. You will constantly reflect and just make sure you never go through a outcome like that again.”

He added, “I remember Cheik was visibly upset in the changing room. The reason we were in the title decider earlier was as a result of what happened after that game in Toulouse. There was a significant shift in the entire squad.”

Injury Updates from Rival Teams

Bristol, in the meantime, have disclosed they have are missing first choice playmaker AJ McGinty for the season after he picked up a knock in their first victory over the Tigers. McGinty has gone under the knife on his Achilles tendon on the same day that his number nine Harry Randall required an operation on his hamstring. Randall will be back in the new year, while the comeback for outside back Gabriel Itoye, who similarly damaged his hamstring in the same match and needs surgery, has yet to be determined.

The Blue, Black and White, in their case, have retained Max Ojomoh at fly-half for their home game against Sale on the weekend's opener. Sale, who recorded a winning start to the term in the first round, have made two enforced changes to their first team, with fresh personnel taking over from the unavailable two key players correspondingly.