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The Tigers freshly appointed team skipper Ollie Chessum has received approval to make his return to domestic action facing the Quins this weekend. Although the vast bulk of Lions tour squad members are not being permitted to domestic rugby until a later date, the Leicester player has secured an exception.

The 25-year-old, who spent time on the sidelines for a large chunk of the prior term, only started 16 games and came on from the replacements in a handful of games. Despite taking part in all three Lions Tests facing the Australian side, the welfare oversight panel overseeing the well-being of top players has permitted him to compete against Harlequins at Welford Road this weekend.

Divergent Situations for Tour Colleagues

The Quins, in contrast, will be missing Chessum’s tour colleague Marcus Smith, who is required to postpone an additional week before rejoining the fray. Unlike Owen Farrell, who was similarly absent for a large part of the prior campaign and was reinstated for his club's first league match, Smith participated in a heavy schedule during the last campaign, comprising additional tour matches and is required to have a compulsory rest period.

Motivation from Historic Setback

Chessum, however, is eager to start and show that Leicester can succeed in the new campaign in spite of the exit of Michael Cheika and several experienced squad members. The Tigers competed in the Prem final at the end of last season, but Chessum says their crushing eighty to twelve European pool defeat by the French side is the game that has supplied their lasting drive. “There was just a sense of ‘We are never going to that place again’. Regardless of how we prepare, no matter how we are guided, no matter strategy, we are avoiding a repeat.”

“It is the most embarrassing loss in the franchise's past and to say you were part of that is embarrassing truly. So, it stings. You will always look back and just guarantee you never go through a outcome like that again.”

He stated, “I recall Cheik was emotional in the dressing room. The reason we were in the championship match earlier was due to what occurred after that fixture in Toulouse. There was a noticeable transformation in every player.”

Fitness Updates from Rival Clubs

Bristol Bears, in the meantime, have revealed they have lost primary fly-half AJ McGinty for nine months after he picked up a knock in their season opener over the Tigers. McGinty has had surgery on his Achilles tendon on the identical day that his scrum-half Harry Randall required an operation on his thigh muscle. Randall is expected to return in the early next year, while the recovery timeline for winger Gabriel Itoye, who similarly damaged his thigh in the same match and requires an operation, has yet to be determined.

The Blue, Black and White, for their part, have stuck with Max Ojomoh at number ten for their fixture at home against Sale on Friday. The Sharks, who recorded a victorious beginning to the season in the opening round, have made several necessary alterations to their first team, with Hyron Andrews and Sam Bedlow taking over from the sidelined two key players correspondingly.