What most impresses Leicester about breakthrough 21-year-old lock
When it comes to Tigers and conversations about talent emerging from their academy, new England star Freddie Steward has hogged the headlines in 2021. However, he hasn't been the only young gun to quickly come of age as second-rower Ollie Chessum has played his recent part in helping Leicester to lead the way in this season's Gallagher Premiership and get their Champions Cup campaign started with a win in France last weekend.
The forward has featured in eight of his club's ten league and European games so far in the 2021/22 campaign, starting in the wins over Saracens, Northampton, Bath and Bordeaux while also adding his heft off the bench in the successes against Exeter, Gloucester, Worcester and Harlequins.
Having picked up the game at Kesteven, Chessum accelerated his Tigers academy apprenticeship by detouring to Championship club Nottingham and the stripes earned there in the English second tier has provided the 6ft 7in, 118kg forward with the gas to now make an impressive breakthrough under Borthwick back at Leicester.
"Great lad," said the coach when asked about the impact of the youngster who has become a regular selection in recent months following fleeing previous involvement. "He has got a younger brother (Lewis, another lock) also coming through the system who has a lot of potential also.
"But a fantastic character who has worked really hard at his game. It hasn't been a straight path for him. He has gone a different way. Played at Nottingham the year before last and shone there as a young man and then he has come in and worked hard to improve himself physically. His attitude to work has always been excellent but his desire and focus to improve have been really impressive and you saw that on the pitch.
"I don't think there is one label you can fit everybody with. You look at each individual on a case by case basis, where are their strengths, where are their areas to improve, how do you need to coach them to get more out of them and that can be different on a daily basis as well. But asking me about Olly Chessum specifically, he has shown a huge amount of perseverance. You talk about grasping opportunities, he is one that every time you give him an opportunity he jumps at it," added Borthwick, whose unbeaten Leicester side this weekend takes on Connacht in round two of Europe.
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The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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