Leicester's Skipper Ollie Chessum Gets Early Reinstatement Permission

Leicester Tigers new club captain Ollie Chessum has received approval to come back to league matches against Harlequins this weekend. While the majority of British & Irish Lions squad members cannot resume to domestic rugby until next week, the lock has obtained unique permission.

The 25-year-old, who spent time on the sidelines for a large chunk of last season, only started 16 games and featured as a substitute in a handful of games. Despite being involved in all three Lions Tests facing the Australian side, the player welfare committee overseeing the condition of star performers has permitted him to take on Harlequins at Welford Road this weekend.

Divergent Circumstances for Tour Colleagues

The Quins, by comparison, will be missing Chessum’s fellow Lion Marcus Smith, who is required to postpone an additional week until he can resume. In contrast to Owen Farrell, who also missed time for a large part of the prior campaign and returned for the start of the domestic season, Smith was involved in a heavy schedule during the last campaign, including additional tour matches and must take a mandatory full 10-week break.

Motivation from Previous Loss

Chessum, on the other hand, is keen to begin and demonstrate that Leicester can succeed this season in spite of the exit of the head coach and several experienced squad members. The Tigers competed in the league final at the end of last season, but Chessum reveals their heavy eighty to twelve European pool defeat by the French side is the game that has supplied their primary inspiration. “There was just a sense of ‘We are never going to that place again’. Regardless of how we get ready, regardless of how we are coached, regardless of tactics, we are not returning.”

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

He stated, “I remember Cheik was almost in tears in the dressing room. The explanation we were in the championship match last year was as a result of what happened after that match in Toulouse. There was a noticeable transformation in the entire squad.”

Fitness News from Rival Clubs

Bristol Bears, in the meantime, have announced they have will be without first choice number ten AJ McGinty for an extended period after he suffered a setback in their opening win over the Tigers. McGinty underwent an operation on his Achilles tendon on the identical day that his number nine Harry Randall had to go for an operation on his thigh muscle. Randall will be back in the new year, while the recovery timeline for winger Gabriel Itoye, who also injured his thigh against Leicester and requires an operation, remains uncertain.

Bath, on their side, have kept Max Ojomoh at fly-half for their match at the Rec against Sale on Friday night. Sale, who recorded a successful opening to the campaign in the opening round, have made several necessary alterations to their run-on side, with fresh personnel taking over from the injured two key players correspondingly.