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Leicester Tigers freshly appointed team skipper Ollie Chessum has been cleared to come back to domestic action facing the Quins on Saturday. While the greater part of British & Irish Lions squad members are barred from returning to their clubs until a later date, the Leicester player has been granted special dispensation.

The 25-year-old, who was injured for a significant portion of the prior term, ended up starting a limited number of fixtures and featured as a substitute four times. Even though taking part in all three Lions Tests against the Wallabies, the player welfare committee supervising the well-being of star performers has allowed him to compete against Harlequins at Welford Road this weekend.

Divergent Situations for Lions Teammates

Harlequins, in contrast, will be missing Chessum’s tour colleague Marcus Smith, who is required to postpone an additional week until he can resume. Unlike Owen Farrell, who was also sidelined for much of last season and returned for Saracens’ opening Prem game, Smith played in thirty-four games during the last campaign, comprising five non-Test Lions tour games and needs to complete a required downtime.

Motivation from Previous Loss

Chessum, however, is raring to go and prove that Leicester can prosper this season despite the loss of Michael Cheika and a number of senior players. The Tigers featured in the Prem final last June, but Chessum states their crushing lopsided European Cup loss by Toulouse is the game that has given their most enduring motivation. “We felt strongly of ‘We are never going to that place again’. Regardless of how we train, no matter how we are coached, no matter tactics, we are avoiding a repeat.”

“It is the biggest setback in the franchise's past and to say you were part of that is embarrassing really. So, it hurts. You will always look back and just ensure you steer clear of a outcome like that again.”

He continued, “I remember Cheik was visibly upset in the locker room. The explanation we were in the final earlier was as a result of what occurred after that match in Toulouse. There was a real change in all of us.”

Injury Updates from Other Teams

Bristol Bears, meanwhile, have announced they have lost primary fly-half AJ McGinty for the season after he suffered a setback in their opening win over the Tigers. McGinty has had surgery on his heel on the same day that his scrum-half Harry Randall required an operation on his thigh muscle. Randall is expected to return in the coming months, while the recovery timeline for winger Gabriel Itoye, who also injured his hamstring in the same match and must undergo a procedure, remains uncertain.

The Blue, Black and White, for their part, have retained Max Ojomoh at fly-half for their match at the Rec against Sale on Friday. Sale, who recorded a victorious beginning to the season in the opening round, have made two enforced changes to their first team, with fresh personnel stepping in for the unavailable two key players respectively.