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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Robert Kitson

Chessum granted special permission for early Prem return as Leicester captain

Lions and Leicester lock Ollie Chessum scores the tourists first try against the Brumbies in Canberra in July 2025
Ollie Chessum, who will captain Leicester Tigers this season, featured in all three Lions Tests in July and August. Photograph: Billy Stickland/INPHO/Shutterstock

Leicester’s new club captain Ollie Chessum has been cleared to return to domestic action against Harlequins ahead of schedule this weekend. The majority of British & Irish Lions squad members are not being permitted to resume playing for their clubs until next week but the Tigers forward has been given special dispensation.

The 25-year-old was injured for a large chunk of last season and ended up starting only 16 games and featuring off the bench four times. Despite being involved in all three Lions Tests against the Wallabies, the player management load group overseeing the welfare of top players has allowed him to face Harlequins at Welford Road on Saturday.

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