Ollie Chessum: Fear of France Wing Fueled 60m Intercept Try | Six Nations 2024
Paris – A thrilling 48-46 defeat to France in the Six Nations finale on , may have brought England’s campaign to a frustrating close, but for Ollie Chessum, the match offered a unique blend of personal triumph and lighthearted ribbing. The England back row, a standout performer in Paris, scored two tries, set up another and delivered a 60-meter intercept try that, while spectacular, has grow the subject of playful criticism from teammates, and family.
Chessum’s long-distance score in the 51st minute came after intercepting a pass from Matthieu Jalibert on his own 10-meter line. Yet, rather than angling towards the posts for an easier conversion attempt, Chessum sprinted down the touchline. The subsequent conversion attempt by Fin Smith was missed, leaving England just short in a high-scoring encounter. “I’ve copped a lot of stick, I think, for not heading toward the posts,” Chessum admitted. “My brother’s sent me a few things, but it was unfamiliar territory for me to be in a line-break situation like that.”
The reason for Chessum’s seemingly unorthodox route? A surprising source of motivation – and perhaps, a touch of fear. According to Chessum, the blistering pace of French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey was foremost in his mind. “I was adamant that there was a red scrum-hat lurking in the background that was going to bring me down,” he explained, “So I just pinned my ears back and hoped that no-one managed to grab on to my coattails and bring me to the floor.” Bielle-Biarrey, who scored four tries in the match, was in pursuit, but ultimately unable to reel in the Leicester player before he crossed the line.
The fear of being run down by Bielle-Biarrey isn’t unfounded. The French winger’s speed has become a defining characteristic of his game, and clearly registered with Chessum during a pivotal moment in the match. The incident highlights the growing respect – and perhaps apprehension – that opposing teams have for Bielle-Biarrey’s attacking prowess.
Chessum’s speed, however, is also a significant asset. Leicester Tigers coach Geoff Parling revealed that the 25-year-old has been clocked at a top sprint speed of 9.3 meters per second. “As soon as he got the intercept I knew he was going to score because I know how fast he is,” Parling said. “He moves very well for a big man.” Parling also lauded Chessum’s overall performance against France, stating he was “exceptional” and consistently “trying to drive the team forward.”
Despite the individual brilliance and a spirited performance, England’s Six Nations campaign was ultimately disappointing, resulting in four defeats and a fifth-place finish. The loss to France, while a narrow one, underscored the challenges facing the team. Chessum acknowledged the frustration, stating, “It was a frustrating few weeks, there’s no hiding the disappointment and frustration. For the middle of those three weeks [defeats against Scotland, Ireland and Italy], we were nowhere near where we wanted to be and that shows in the table.”
However, Chessum believes the performance against France offered a glimpse of what England is capable of. “I don’t know about it being a standard-setter, but I think [the France performance] just felt more like us and the way we wanted to play,” he said. “It felt like the way we have played for the majority of last year. I suppose, from our perspective, we’d want to try and bottle that feeling as much as possible.”
The desire to recapture that form was evident even as the final whistle blew in Paris. Chessum and teammate Jack van Poortvliet, upon returning to London Heathrow on , immediately headed to Mattioli Woods Welford Road to catch the end of Leicester Tigers’ 66-14 victory over Leicester in the Prem Rugby Cup final, demonstrating a commitment to returning to winning ways with their club.
While the Six Nations may be over for England, the focus now shifts to building on the positive aspects of the France performance and addressing the inconsistencies that plagued their campaign. Chessum’s individual story – a thrilling try tempered by playful criticism and a healthy respect for opposing speed – encapsulates the complex emotions of a team striving for improvement.