Most British & Irish Lions on mandatory 10-week break
Chessum returns despite featuring in all three Tests
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.
Harlequins, in contrast, will have to do without Chessum's Lions teammate Marcus Smith who must wait another week before rejoining the fray. Unlike Owen Farrell, who was also sidelined for much of last season and returned for Saracens' opening Prem game at Newcastle, Smith was involved in 29 matches last season and is required to have a mandatory full 10-week break.
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