Ollie Chessum warns Lions against complacency on Australia tour
Argentina celebrated a maiden victory over the Lions in eight attempts after emerging 28-24 winners and Chessum knows all opponents will be eager to claim a special scalp.
Roll on Saturday 🦁
Game two, and our first on Australian soil: @westernforce in Perth 📍#Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/PWKxlEJ6VN
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 23, 2025
'For people playing against the Lions, this is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' said the England forward, who is on course to make his debut for the tourists this weekend.
'I'm sure that for the Western Force lads and all the teams we face in the future, to be part of a team that beats the Lions would be massive.
'We expect that from everyone we face, but we also expect to put the best of ourselves out there.
'If I get the opportunity, I'm like everyone in the camp – chomping at the bit to put on the shirt and play for the Lions.'
Enemies have become friends in Perth as Chessum revealed he has been rooming with Joe McCarthy, the Ireland second row he has battled since they were teenagers.
'I'm with big Joe, so it's two young locks have been paired together. They're big beds and there's a nice bit of space in the room,' Chessum said.
Ollie Chessum is rooming with Joe McCarthy, pictures (Brian Lawless/PA)
'It's a bit surreal. We played against each other when I was with England county schoolboys, so not even the academy pathway. Joe was playing for the Irish equivalent.
'We played against each other at Donnybrook, which we drove past when we had our stint together in Dublin last week.
'To be rooming together on a Lions tour six or seven years after we were playing against each other at Donnybrook is cool.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
32 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Don't know how funny that gag is – Sione Tuipulotu laughs off ‘Aussie' dig
'Another Aussie at number 12, Sione Tuipulotu,' was how the Scotland centre was introduced when the team was read out for the Lions' opening match on Australian soil. Sione Tuipulotu made his presence felt against Western Force (Trevor Collens/AP) Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Pierre Schoeman were also referenced by the nation of their birth rather than their adopted country, for whom they have qualified either through residency or family heritage. It continued a theme from the hosts that began when Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt described Tuipulotu and New Zealand-born Ireland international Bundee Aki as a 'southern-hemisphere centre partnership' in the build-up to the defeat by Argentina in Dublin. Tuipulotu emphasised the words 'good humour' when brushing aside the jibes that he expected on his return Down Under. 'I knew there would be some 'good humour' coming back home to Australia. These are all things we've got to take in our stride,' he said. 'To not announce the elephant in the room, I am from Australia. I was born here. I don't know how funny that gag is to everyone! Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, left, and head coach Gregor Townsend celebrate after November's win over Australia (Andrew Milligan/PA) 'I'm loving my rugby playing for the Lions and I'm really passionate about it. Andy's brought the group together so well.' The victory in Perth exposed several shortcomings such as a high penalty count and creaking set-piece, but there was also much to admire in the attacking exuberance that produced eight classy tries. Tougher tests than the Force await on tour but combined with the evidence gathered from the Aviva Stadium eight days earlier, Farrell's Lions are clearly keen to keep the ball alive – and on this occasion the passes stuck. Finn Russell was at the heart of onslaught in his first outing of the tour and the Scot's instinctive play drew approval from Farrell, who declared: 'He's ready to go. And that's good.' Tuipulotu, who expects to be firing by the Test series as he continues his comeback from a significant ankle injury, said: 'We're taking ideas from all the nations. 'Obviously, the coaching style is very Ireland dominant and there are a lot of ideas that we're getting from the Irish coaches, but then those ideas are being sprinkled on. 'When Finn comes in, he plays his style. He plays to the structure of the team, but he's a very instinctive player and he wants to play what's directly in front of his face. 'There's a mixture there and that's what's going to make it hard to defend for opposition teams. 'They're not necessarily defending a structure of play, they're defending a structure of play with really supreme individuals conducting it like Finn. 'Finn's a world-class number 10 and he's been here, been there, done that. He's come off a really good season after winning the Premiership with Bath and I thought him and Tomos Williams controlled the game really well. 'We're still growing, there's a lot of growth left in us but the identity at least, you could see how we try to play the game out there.'
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Tomos Williams gets rave reviews from British and Irish media as everyone says the same thing
Tomos Williams gets rave reviews from British and Irish media as everyone says the same thing Tomos Williams started very well but was forced from the field with an injury. British and Irish Lions' player Tomos Williams (L) dives to score a try (Image: Getty Images ) Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has received rave reviews from the British and Irish media after his performance against Western Force, leaving everyone hoping his injury doesn't rule him out of action. The British and Irish Lions played the Super Rugby side in the first touring match on Australian soil, with Williams the starting scrum-half. Despite Force starting well against the Lions, aided by a number of high quality internationals like Nic White and Ben Donaldson, Andy Farrell's outfit were ultimately too strong for them. The Lions scored eight tries, with former Cardiff Rugby man Williams grabbing two of them. Williams was the sole Welshman in the match day squad, with Farrell switching up selection for the second game of the 2025 tour, as Jac Morgan dropped out of the game day collective. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The Gloucester Rugby number nine certainly flew the flag for Wales, producing a superb performance in Lions red. However, he clutched his hamstring following the second score, which led to him being withdrawn from the field. England international Jack van Poortvliet previously trained with the Lions after Jamison Gibson-Park's injury with Leinster, and is currently with England in Argentina for their summer tour, so is an option for Farrell. Reports this morning, however, suggest Scotland's Ben White is on standby. Despite only playing just over half the match, he has earned some positive reviews from the media Article continues below an Irish publication, gave Williams a 9/10 for his performance. A wayward box-kick was recognised, but his game as a whole outweighed the negatives for them. "Nice support line got him a try, on 16 minutes," they wrote. "Teamed up with Lowe, up the right wing, for a brilliant second try." MailOnline gave him a 7/10 and described him as a "Test contender if fit". "His injury scare will worry the Lions coaches. Scored two tries, tidy box-kicking and maintained attacking tempo," read the MailOnline rating. Sir Clive Woodward, the 2005 Lions coach, also hopes the injury isn't as bad as feared. "I was really impressed by Williams," he said in the Mail. "So I hope the fact he limped off after his second try with a hamstring problem isn't a serious injury." The Daily Express also noted how Williams added tempo to the Lions, giving him an 8/10. The Telegraph handed out another 7/10 for his efforts, while recognising the Welshman's box-kicking "wasn't always on the money". "Everyone will be hoping the apparent hamstring injury is not too serious because Williams is electric as he showed with his two excellent tries," wrote The Telegraph. Planet Rugby praised Finn Russell and Williams as a half-back partnership. "Russell and Williams treated us to an inspirational display of playing off both nine and ten, the same system that Bath thrive upon and one that changes the point of attack and the phase continuity to confuse the very best blitz defences," they wrote. They added: "The Lions yanked him off after his try as the Welshman showed a tight hamstring, but he laid down a serious marker for Test selection." Ireland lock Joe McCarthy had a stormer against Force and his contributions have been acknowledge by the press. The Telegraph gave him a big 9/10, stating he has taken a "massive step towards the Test team". The Times went on to state McCarthy had "locked down his Test spot" following a performance epitomised by his physicality and threat at the breakdown. Article continues below "Joe McCarthy delivered from first to last. In the final quarter of the game he was still stealing lineouts, still picking and carrying, still popping up at breakdowns as the first scrum half, skilfully maintaining the late momentum," wrote The Times. Finn Russell, James Lowe and Henry Pollock also received positive reviews from the press. Speaking about Pollock, Planet Rugby wrote: "His chip, chase and regather was a real high of his game while he kept the Force defence honest with his running lines and aggressive carries. He was busy defensively too. The bolter has really laid down a marker for the Test squad in his first two games. An outrageous performance."
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Lions put Williams replacement on standby and Warburton raves about emerging star
Today's rugby news as Lions put Williams replacement on standby and Warburton raves about emerging star The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Tomos Williams of the British & Irish Lions is assisted from the field during their match against the Western Force (Image: AP Photo/Trevor Collens ) These are your rugby headlines on Sunday, June 29. Lions put scrum-half replacement on standby The British and Irish Lions are on standby to call up a replacement scrum-half after Tomos Williams suffered a hamstring injury during the 40-22 win over the Western Force in Perth, according to the Mail. Williams, who scored two tries at Optus Stadium, was forced off in the second half clutching his hamstring and now faces an anxious wait for medical results. Head coach Andy Farrell said a decision on his availability will be made after further assessment. 'Tomos has come off holding his hamstring,' Farrell said post-match. 'We'll only know more in the morning. You've got to let these things settle down and give it some space. We need to assess it properly and make the right call for the group.' The Mail say Scotland's Ben White is the most likely candidate to be called up if Williams is ruled out. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. White is currently on tour with Scotland in New Zealand and could link up with the Lions squad in Brisbane by Sunday night if required. Article continues below There was some relief for Farrell, however, with fellow scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park confirmed as fit to return for Wednesday's clash against the Queensland Reds. Warburton: Pollock can become 'complete player' Sam Warburton believes Henry Pollock is not far way from being a "complete player". Pollock was impressive from the off for the Lions against Western Force on Saturday, playing a key part in their eight-try win in Perth. The youngster's rise has been incredible, with the 20-year-old now playing at the elite level of rugby, despite only being on the international scene for a matter of months. His display against Force wasn't perfect, Warburton admitted, but the former Lions skipper says Pollock has all the raw materials and that he can be coached out of the mistakes. "Pollock showed everything he is brilliant at - that linebreak ability, his energy in attack and defence," two-time Lions captain Warburton told Sky Sports. "The longer the tour goes on, the specialty at playing back row - breakdown, physicality, collision dominance - comes into play more, that is where the likes of Tom Curry have got a little bit of an edge. "I still think the back-row selection is wide open. There isn't a set three, it's still all to play for, but Pollock brings something no one else does. "He has got some good moments, and there was even good news about the yellow card and penalty given against him, because that's easy to coach out. "You cannot give someone pace or the ability to beat a man, but you can coach some of the simple mistakes that every 20-year-old back-rower makes. "If you can get him more measured at breakdown defence then you've got a pretty complete player." Japan endure a hiding a week before Wales clash A Japan XV suffered a heavy 53-20 defeat to the Moari All Blacks in Tokyo. Wales face Japan in Kitakyushu next Saturday in the first of a two-Test series. Matt Sherratt's side will be hoping to end a record run of 17 Test defeats on the bounce against a Japan side coached by Eddie Jones. Japan led 17-15 at half-time but the Maori All Blacks ran in six tries in what was a ruthless second-half performance by Ross Filipo's men. "Let's not connect this game with next week," Japan coach Jones told Rugby "This was Japan XV. Next week is Japan. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "If we need to give the ball back to Wales we need to do it in a difficult situation." Wales will be confident of coming out on top next week but Japan do have a habit of bouncing back from a heavy defeat. Last year Japan XV lost 36-10 to the Maori All Blacks before beating the same opponent 26-14 a week later. Wates appointed chair of RFU By PA Sport Staff Sir James Wates CBE has been appointed chair of the Rugby Football Union board. He takes over the role from Sir Bill Beaumont, who was named chair on an interim basis in December last year following the resignation of Tom Ilube. Wates is currently a board director of the Wates Group, a privately-owned construction, development and property service company in the UK and served as chairman between 2013 and 2023. A statement from the RFU said: 'Sir James has had a distinguished career in the construction and business sectors, marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to industry standards and charitable causes. 'He brings extensive leadership experience to the RFU alongside a deep love of the game of rugby, stretching back to his early playing days.' Speaking about his new role, Wates said: 'It is a true honour to be named chair of the board of the RFU, and I can't wait to get started. Article continues below 'English Rugby is steeped in legacy and history, and it is a history that the country should be proud of, while also being excited about what is to come. 'Later this year, we have the Women's Rugby World Cup hosted across England and I am looking forward to this happening so soon into my tenure. 'I will do my upmost to maximise the growth of the game, with the support of the RFU board and wider team in the years ahead and engaging as much as possible in the rugby community at all levels across England.'
