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The Tigers freshly appointed team skipper Ollie Chessum has received approval to make his return to domestic action against Harlequins this weekend. Although the majority of Lions tour squad members are barred from returning to club play until the following week, the Leicester player has secured unique permission.

Chessum, who spent time on the sidelines for a significant portion of last season, ended up starting a limited number of fixtures and featured as a substitute four times. Even though taking part in all three Lions Tests facing the Australian side, the player management load group overseeing the health of star performers has authorized him to compete against Harlequins at their home ground in the next fixture.

Contrasting Circumstances for Squad Mates

The Quins, on the other hand, will have to do without Chessum’s fellow Lion Marcus Smith, who has to delay another week prior to his return. In contrast to Owen Farrell, who also missed time for an extended period and returned for the start of the domestic season, Smith was involved in thirty-four games in the previous term, featuring five non-Test Lions tour games and is required to have a required downtime.

Motivation from Previous Loss

Chessum, on the other hand, is raring to go and demonstrate that Leicester can succeed in the new campaign in spite of the loss of their former coach and a number of experienced squad members. The Tigers reached the league final in June, but Chessum states their thumping 80-12 European pool defeat by Toulouse is the match that has given their most enduring motivation. “We felt strongly of ‘We are never going to that place again’. No matter how we get ready, no matter how we are coached, regardless of tactics, we are not returning.”

“That was the worst defeat in the franchise's past and to acknowledge participation is shameful truly. So, it hurts. You will always look back and just ensure you avoid experiencing a outcome like that again.”

He continued, “I recall Cheik was emotional in the dressing room. The factor we were in the championship match last year was because of what transpired after that match in Toulouse. There was a significant shift in every player.”

Fitness News from Other Clubs

Bristol, meanwhile, have announced they have are missing first choice playmaker AJ McGinty for the season after he picked up a knock in their opening win over the Tigers. McGinty has gone under the knife on his achilles on the identical day that his scrum-half Harry Randall had to go for an operation on his thigh muscle. Randall will be back in the new year, while the comeback for outside back Gabriel Itoye, who also injured his hamstring against Leicester and must undergo a procedure, is still to be confirmed.

The Blue, Black and White, on their side, have stuck with Max Ojomoh at fly-half for their fixture at home against Sale on the weekend's opener. Sale, who also made a successful opening to the campaign in the opening round, have made two enforced changes to their starting XV, with Hyron Andrews and Sam Bedlow stepping in for the sidelined Jacques Vermeulen and Rekeiti Ma’asi White respectively.