Ollie Chessum signs new Leicester Tigers contract

Leicester Tigers are delighted to confirm that Captain Ollie Chessum has agreed to an extended contract with the Club.

The 26 year old has made 88 appearances since debuting in 2020 and was named Club Captain by Geoff Parling in 2025. At the time, he was the youngest club captain since Ian Smith in 1983 (also 25).

Chessum has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, becoming a key player for England Head Coach Steve Borthwick, winning 38 caps and retaining his England 'Elite Player Squad' contract for 2026-27.

Alongside his outstanding performances for club and country, Chessum was selected for the victorious 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, where he earned three test caps.

Parling commented, "It’s just over a year since I asked Chess to captain the club and he’s been brilliant at driving our preparation levels each week. I want our environment to have both a hard edge and be fun, with a real togetherness in the group, and I think his personality fits this really well."

"The exciting part is that he’s got huge potential to keep pushing and growing his game further for both ourselves and England."

Upon re-signing, Chessum added, "It wasn't a difficult decision. I saw what Jack van Poortvliet said when he re-signed last week. It makes it so much easier when you love the club but also love the people in it."

"I've got some of my closest mates here and I think we're at that turning point in our careers for a lot of us where we've gone from being those younger players to now all being in leadership roles and we can take this place where we want it."

"Adding to that, we've got a real bit of consistency with Geoff being here for a second season. I really enjoy working with him and for me it was just as simple as I couldn't imagine wearing any other badge on my chest."