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Ollie Chessum will captain a Leicester Tigers side with four debutants for their opening match of the Gallagher Premiership season against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.
In the Tigers’ first competitive match under new coach Michael Cheika, the England lock/flanker will lead the side with his England teammate Jack van Poortvliet serving as vice-captain.
The two debutants in the starting XV are Wales loosehead prop Nicky Smith and Wallabies centre Izaia Perese, with French lock Côme Joussain and Fiji flyhalf Ben Volavola poised to make their first appearances from the bench.
Leicester’s captain last season Julian Montoya is currently on international duty, where he will lead Argentina against South Africa in the Rugby Championship hours after Leicester get their season underway.
Chessum missed England’s summer tour of Japan and New Zealand with a shoulder injury, but is firing on all cylinders again and takes his place in the Leicester second row alongside Harry Wells, who will make his 200th appearance.
“It’s an exciting game for everyone at the club,” Cheika said.
“We’re all looking forward to this first league game of the season. We’ve made good progress over the pre-season and still have a long way to go but this is how we get there; playing for points each weekend, starting in Exeter.
“I’m really happy to see Harry reach 200 games. It’s a fantastic achievement and I know everyone will be doing all they can to make it a special day for him.
“Ollie and Jack have earned the right to lead with their actions throughout pre-season, and they’ll be supported a team of players who are all ready to do their jobs and enjoy what will be a tough battle together for the first time in Tigers colours.”
Leicester Tigers XV
15 Freddie Steward [88]
14 Josh Bassett [15]
13 Izaia Perese *
12 Solomone Kata [19]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [22]
10 Jamie Shillcock [26]
9 Jack van Poortvliet [73]
1 Nicky Smith *
2 Charlie Clare [95]
3 Joe Heyes [141]
4 Harry Wells [199]
5 Ollie Chessum (C) [56]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [107]
7 Olly Cracknell [43]
8 Kyle Hatherell [20]
Replacements
16 Finn Theobald-Thomas [9]
17 James Cronin [34]
18 Dan Cole [323]
19 Côme Joussain *
20 Tommy Reffell [114]
21 Ben Youngs [314]
22 Ben Volavola *
23 Dan Kelly [81]