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Leicester Tigers freshly appointed club captain Ollie Chessum has received approval to make his return to Premiership rugby versus the Harlequins in the upcoming match. Although the vast bulk of British & Irish Lions squad members are barred from returning to club play until a later date, the Leicester player has obtained special dispensation.

Chessum, who spent time on the sidelines for much of last season, only started 16 games and appeared from the replacements on four occasions. Even though taking part in every Lions Test match versus Australia, the player welfare committee managing the health of star performers has permitted him to take on Harlequins at their home ground on Saturday.

Contrasting Circumstances for Squad Mates

Harlequins, by comparison, will lack Chessum’s tour colleague Marcus Smith, who must wait an additional week prior to his return. In contrast to Owen Farrell, who was also sidelined for much of last season and was reinstated for the start of the domestic season, Smith was involved in a heavy schedule in the previous term, featuring additional tour matches and is required to have a compulsory rest period.

Motivation from Past Defeat

Chessum, on the other hand, is eager to start and show that Leicester can thrive this season in spite of the exit of their former coach and a number of key individuals. Leicester reached the domestic championship decider in June, but Chessum states their thumping 80-12 European Cup loss by the French side is the match that has provided their lasting drive. “We felt strongly of ‘We are never going to that place again’. Regardless of how we get ready, no matter how we are instructed, no matter game plans, we are not returning.”

“It is the biggest setback in the club’s history and to say you were part of that is embarrassing honestly. So, it stings. You will always look back and just guarantee you steer clear of a score like that again.”

He added, “I recall Cheik was emotional in the dressing room. The explanation we were in the title decider last year was due to what happened after that fixture in Toulouse. There was a noticeable transformation in every player.”

Injury Updates from Other Teams

Bristol, at the same time, have revealed they have lost first choice playmaker AJ McGinty for nine months after he was injured in their opening win over Leicester. McGinty has had surgery on his achilles on the very day that his half-back partner Harry Randall needed surgery on his hamstring. Randall should recover in the coming months, while the recovery timeline for outside back Gabriel Itoye, who also injured his thigh in the same match and needs surgery, remains uncertain.

Bath, in their case, have kept Max Ojomoh at number ten for their fixture at home facing Sale Sharks on Friday night. The Sharks, who similarly had a winning start to the season in the first round, have made a pair of compulsory adjustments to their starting XV, with fresh personnel replacing the unavailable two key players respectively.