Chessum hits 50 and links up with Martin in the row

By JON NEWCOMBE

As he prepares to make his 50th appearance for Leicester against Bath, Ollie Chessum is set for a new experience – a first start in the Tigers second row alongside England colleague George Martin.

It is a surprising statistic considering both broke into the Leicester first team in the same 2019/20 season and have now played over 100 games for the club between them.

The pair's versatility in being able to play lock or in the back row as well as England call-ups and injuries have conspired against them locking down together in the engine room.

“Me and George always seem to pass each other in the second row, one of us comes off as the other comes on, so we've not had much of an opportunity to play together in the row, and it is something we've been looking forward to for a long time,” said Chessum, who has worn the numbers four, five six, seven and eight on his back in his time at the club.

Delight: Ollie Chessum is looking forward to playing in the second row for Tigers with George Martin

PICTURES: Getty Images

“I have played with George for a long while and we know what he is about. He is a very physical player and I like to pride myself on my athleticism as well, so they are two things that complement each other very well.”

Chessum made his Tigers' first-team debut away to Gloucester in August 2020 while still just about in his teens and, like Martin, has gone on to become a well-established England inter national.

Reflecting on the milestone appearance, 23-year-old Chessum says it has been a long time coming.

“First and foremost, it is a special occasion for me and for the family for me to play 50 games for this club,” said Chessum, who was brought up as a Tigers fan while playing club rugby in Lincolnshire with Kesteven RFC.

“But I suppose in the last year or so the appearances have trickled in rather than flowed in, so it has felt like a long time coming this last year with the injuries I have had and wotnot.

“I am very proud to be making my 50th appearance this weekend.” sum. making my 50th appearance this weekend.”

Steaming ahead: George Martin in action for Tigers

Chessum will hope to mark the occasion by bouncing back from last weekend's dispiriting performance at Exeter.

The Tigers hardly fired a shot until it was too late and lost 29-10, having won their five previous Fixtures.

With a gap developing between Leicester and the top four, the 18-cap World Cup star knows they cannot afford to slip up against Bath today.

“Regardless of who the opposition is, this week- end is massive in terms of our season but I think it does add a bit more to the fire when it is Bath at home, and on New Year's Eve,” said Chessum.

“A lot of the players were hurting last week after the Exeter performance. We are not going to shy away from it, that was not up to our standards. We were way off it in terms of where we want to be,

“But there has been a real good energy and edge to training this week which can only put us in a good posi- tion to put out a good performance against Bath.”

Other milestone and landmarks this weekend include a 50th league appearance for Leicester for Dan Kelly and a first-ever Premiership start on the wing for veteran full-back Mike Brown.

Brown only had a handful of appearances on the wing in his long and distinguished career including one against Stade Francais a fort- night ago.

But head coach Dan McKellar, below, has no doubts about his ability to fill in there while Anthony Watson (Achilles) and Josh Bassett (hamstring) recuperate.

“I think with the back- three these days a lot of the time they play like three full-backs with pendulum defence and how to work defensively in the back field,” said the Australian

“Browny's aerial ability is second to none, he is outstanding there with his ability to defuse high ball threats as well as get into a contest and create opportunities for us.

“He is a very smart player and so diligent with his preparation so we have full confidence that Browny will do a job for us there.”