Ollie Chessum Embraces Leadership Talk as Itoje's Possible Successor
Ollie Chessum says he relishes being a leader on the pitch, after being tipped as a long-term successor to England captain Maro Itoje. The 26-year-old, who captains Leicester, currently top the Premiership table. He spoke ahead of England's game against Australia on Sunday.
Chessum is a big, versatile forward. He stands 6ft 7in and can play in the second row, the tall lock pairing that wins much of the lineout ball, or at blindside flanker, the fast back-row forward who works on the narrow side of the pitch. He also toured Australia with the British and Irish Lions.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, BBC Sport reported that Chessum does not see captaincy as something a player chases. In his view, it is a role that finds the right person. He was clear that England already have a strong leader in Itoje, 32, who was appointed captain in January 2025, taking over from Jamie George. Chessum said he is learning from Itoje as part of an experienced senior leadership group.
Still, he admitted that the idea of one day leading England would be "a pretty special thing to do." That is a long way off, and nothing has been decided. Itoje plays for Saracens and remains the man in charge.
Chessum has also been in the thick of some heated moments this season. At half-time in Leicester's win over Northampton, he was at the centre of a skirmish that included pushing Henry Pollock down the tunnel. A week later, he confronted Bristol's Ellis Genge. Both incidents show a player who plays with plenty of fire, and captaincy will ask him to channel that energy.
The wider picture matters too. Owen Farrell captained England full-time from 2019, before stepping back from Test rugby in late 2023 and moving to France, which made him ineligible for England selection. Since then, the captaincy has passed through different hands, and Itoje has been the steady figure at the top.
England return to Allianz Stadium to face Australia on Sunday. It is their first game there since February, when Ireland beat them 42-21. Their recent form has been mixed. They lost to South Africa in July, then won against Fiji and Argentina.
For Chessum, the message is simple. He is not chasing the armband. He is learning from the man who wears it, and he is playing the kind of rugby that keeps a leader's place in the squad.
