'Beating the Lions is a once-in-a-lifetime chance' - Chessum

Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 12:07 AM
AAP
by AAP
Ollie Chessum and the Lions know touring sides will be hunting for their scalp. Photo: Getty Images
Ollie Chessum and the Lions know touring sides will be hunting for their scalp. Photo: Getty Images

Ollie Chessum has warned his British & Irish Lions team-mates they will have to be on their game throughout their tour to Australia.

Andy Farrell's men face Western Force in Perth on Saturday in the first fixture Down Under following their send off against Argentina in Dublin.

Watch every match of the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

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.

"For people playing against the Lions, this is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said the England forward after the loss in Ireland.

"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.

"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."

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