Ollie Chessum credits Leicester Tigers on crucial win in Gallagher Premiership Rugby play-off chase - ‘It was massive’
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Published 31/12/2023 at 18:38 GMT
Leicester Tigers’ victory over Bath Rugby is “massive” in their push for a play-off finish in the Gallagher Premiership, according to Ollie Chessum. The Tigers comfortably won 35-22 ahead of the festivities on New Year's Eve as they convincingly bounced back from defeat to Exeter Chiefs. “If we perform like we did today, we’ve got every chance,” Chessum told TNT Sports about their top-four hopes.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Ollie Chessum of Leicester Tigers looks on during the Investec Champions Cup match between Leicester Tigers and DHL Stormers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Mal
Image credit: Eurosport
Ollie Chessum has described Leicester Tigers’ New Year’s Eve victory over Bath as “massive” in their fight for a play-off finish in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby.
The Tigers comfortably overcame Bath 35-22 on Sunday, a week after suffering a disappointing defeat to Exeter Chiefs to end a five-game winning run.
But despite the dent in their top-four hopes last time out, Chessum gave huge credit to his team-mates for bouncing back to keep their chances alive.
“It was massive,” he told TNT Sports. “There was a real sense of disappointment and frustration around the club after last week’s performance at Exeter.
“Training had a bit of an edge about it this week and the boys showed that, certainly in that first half today.
“Last week, we felt like we were building some momentum and then we didn’t perform.
“We spoke about it, these next few weeks are huge for us and we’re going to take it game by game as we always do.”
Some difficult tests lie ahead for Leicester, who face La Rochelle and Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup in between Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches against Saracens and Harlequins.
“Looking at the fixtures, we have a big game against Sarries and then Quins,” Chessum said.
“So we have some big games coming up against tough opposition but I feel if we perform like we did today then we’ve got every chance of putting ourselves in those top-four positions.
“Everyone says every year, once you’re in the top four it’s one game and it can change everything. But we can’t look too far ahead just yet.”
Leicester sit in seventh place in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table following their latest triumph, seven points adrift of Sunday’s opponents Bath in fourth place.
They will be looking to make up even more ground on the top four in 2024, a year Chessum is particularly looking forward to following an injury-hit campaign.
“Massively,” he answered when asked how he was feeling ahead of the new year. “I’m just loving playing my rugby back here at the minute.
“I’ve said it in a few interviews, I felt like last year I never really got to. I had an injury at the start of the season and then got injured again at the end of the Six Nations.
“I’m just loving being back here at home in a Tigers shirt. Whatever happens down the line this year I’ll just try and take it in my stride.”
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