No rest for Leicester Tigers as Michael Cheika puts foot down

By Adam Hathaway

Match Preview

Leicester v Gloucester

Today. Kick-off 3pm, Welford Road

Leicester boss Michael Cheika has shelved thoughts of resting players early on in his first Premiership season in charge – despite new restrictive game limits.

Globetrotter Cheika has backed himself, and his staff, to keep potential British & Irish Lions tourists, and other international stars in peak condition.

Under the Professional Game Partnership deal which came into force this season, Premiership players can only have 30 game involvements per campaign with a one-minute cameo counting towards the tally.

Cheika has named lock Ollie Chessum, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, prop Dan Cole and fullback Freddie Steward in his 23 for today’s clash with Gloucester and all four could be up near the limit by the business end of the season.

Boss: Michael Cheika

With a Lions tour looming next summer, plus Six Nations and potential club knockout commitments, some coaches are juggling their line-ups already – but Cheika has brushed that off.

Nailing Preparation Every Week

He said: “I don’t actually think about it all. What I think about is preparing the players correctly so they can meet the challenges they meet.

“This week, we had a different preparation for players who thought they had a chance of playing in November so they have got the feel to perform for us in the right places, and for their various national teams – not just the England team.

“That is my role, as the coach of these guys, to look after the individual and understand what they want to conquer as well and respect that.

“When it looks like there could be some issue about that, we will look after them. I don’t feel like that is going to be an issue.

“I am hoping to be able to prepare the players well enough that they will have the adequate fitness and recovery to be able to perform across the board.”

If push comes to shove no player is going to be asked to sit out a Lions Test match or a Premiership final if they are on the limit, they would be given more rest at the start of next season.

England & Lions Aim

Cheika added: “If that is happening that means he is playing well, playing for the Lions and England and everyone is going gangbusters. That is good – that is not bad.

“That means we are achieving goals along the way – that means we are playing more games in Europe, we are in the battle for the finals and players are getting selected for the highest honours and that is exactly what we are trying to do.

“That is a positive, we will deal with the other bit when it comes up.

“Forget about the number, make sure the players are really well prepared physically and mentally so they can meet all the challenges they will meet through the year.

“Whether they are in the Premiership, Europe, Six Nations, autumn then eventually the Lions.”

Chessum’s Ability

Chessum looks set for a leading role with England this autumn after missing the summer tour for shoulder surgery after providing a series of power-packed displays for Tigers this season.

“He is pretty handy and he has got unlimited energy,” said Cheika.

Non-stop: Ollie Chessum has got unlimited energy, says Cheika

PICTURES: Getty Images

“He loves playing for the team and is quite an inspirational player to be about.

“He is prepared to put his body about, prepared to play physical, and he likes those moments. When a bit of adversity happens, he gets big.

“He wants to be in that time when it is difficult. I like that. It is good for second rowers to be like that. He is calling line-outs and he has been captain already this season.

“He has got a really good character and demeanour to be playing that role.”