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The Tigers freshly appointed team skipper Ollie Chessum has been cleared to come back to domestic action facing the Quins this weekend. While the majority of British & Irish Lions squad members are barred from returning to club play until a later date, the Leicester player has secured special dispensation.

The 25-year-old, who was injured for a large chunk of the prior term, began in 16 games and appeared off the bench four times. Even though taking part in the full Lions series versus Australia, the player welfare committee supervising the well-being of star performers has allowed him to take on Harlequins at Welford Road this weekend.

Contrasting Circumstances for Tour Colleagues

Harlequins, on the other hand, will lack Chessum’s Lions teammate Marcus Smith, who must wait an additional week prior to his return. In contrast to 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 34 matches in the previous term, featuring five Lions tour fixtures and needs to complete a compulsory rest period.

Drive from Historic Setback

Chessum, however, is eager to start and demonstrate that Leicester can prosper this season despite the departure of their former coach and a number of senior players. Leicester competed in the league final last June, but Chessum reveals their crushing lopsided European pool defeat by the French side is the fixture that has given 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 coached, regardless of game plans, we are not returning.”

“That was the biggest setback in the franchise's past and to acknowledge participation is shameful honestly. So, it stings. You will forever remember and just ensure you steer clear of a outcome like that again.”

He continued, “I remember Cheik was emotional in the changing room. The factor we were in the championship match the previous season was as a result of what happened after that match in Toulouse. There was a real change in all of us.”

Fitness News from Other Teams

Bristol, in the meantime, have announced they have are missing starting fly-half AJ McGinty for nine months after he picked up a knock in their first victory over the Tigers. McGinty underwent an operation on his Achilles tendon on the same day that his half-back partner Harry Randall had to go for an operation on his hamstring. Randall will be back in the early next year, while the recovery timeline for wing Gabriel Itoye, who also injured his thigh versus the Tigers and needs surgery, is still to be confirmed.

Bath, for their part, have stuck with Max Ojomoh at stand-off for their fixture at home facing Sale Sharks on Friday. Sale, who also made a victorious beginning to the campaign in the opening round, have made several necessary alterations to their first team, with Hyron Andrews and Sam Bedlow taking over from the injured Jacques Vermeulen and Rekeiti Ma’asi White in turn.