Leicester issue an England-worrying injury update on Ollie Chessum
Ollie Chessum could face a race against time to be fit for England’s opening Guinness Six Nations games. The Leicester forward suffered a knee injury during England’s pre-Autumn Nations Series training camp in Spain.
He took no part during England’s four-Test November schedule that saw them beaten by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa before comfortably defeating Japan, and 24-year-old Chessum is not expected to return in the immediate future.
“Probably not until mid-end of January,” Leicester head coach Michael Cheika said after being asked during his press conference ahead of Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership clash against Sale Sharks when Chessum might be back.
England kick off their Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Dublin on February 1 before hosting France a week later. Chessum has become a key part of England’s forward machinery, offering head coach Steve Borthwick options at lock and flanker.
Leicester, meanwhile, will be without Chessum for a number of big games, including Investec Champions Cup encounters against Bordeaux-Begles and South African side the Sharks, plus Premiership appointments with the likes of Sale, Gloucester and Harlequins.