Ollie Chessum will be hoping to help Leicester Tigers to victory in the Gallagher Premiership final

A former youth team player with Kesteven Rugby Club will be aiming to complete the first part of a momentous double this weekend.

Ollie Chessum - who began his career as a youngster at Woodnook - will line-up for Leicester Tigers on Saturday in the Gallagher Premiership final.

Tigers take on Bath at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with Chessum hoping to help his side to glory before embarking on his next adventure.

The 24-year-old has been chosen for the British & Irish Lions for the first time for their tour of Australia.

It is another major milestone for the England and Leicester Tigers lock who has reached the top of the game despite a series of setbacks early in his career.

He initially joined Newark Rugby Club as a schoolboy but did not quite manage to break through.

Instead he moved to Kesteven on the advice of his cousin, Ben, where his reputation within academy rugby began to soar.

It wasn't long before Leicester Tigers came calling but Chessum dropped out of their Developing Player Programme soon after joining because he wasn't enjoying it.

He eventually signed as an 18-year-old for Nottingham in the Championship where he created such an impression that, after just 11 appearances, he re-signed for Tigers in 2020.

The 6ft 7ins powerhouse blossomed at Welford Road and became a first team regular before making his England debut in the 2022 Six Nations against Italy.

Chessum is one of six second rows selected by Lions head coach Andy Farrell, alongside Maro Itoje, Ireland trio Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan, and Scotland’s Scott Cummings.

He faced a nervous wait while the Lions announced their squad last month but is now desperate to take his opportunity.

Chessum said: "When you make your international debut, you want to keep building to that next step but I thought there's no way.

"When I look back now I see a completely different player. I was a bit of a boy in a man's game.

"Even though I'd played my international debut, I thought 'I'm so out of my depth here, how do lads go from international rugby to being the best of that bunch?.'

"Four years ago, I'd probably have laughed in your face if you told me I would be here but I'm over the moon.

"Everyone has got their own journey and I'm not going to knock mine. It's got me here."

Chessum was born in Boston and went to school at Carres Grammar in Sleaford.

His younger brother Lewis is also in the Tigers ranks and is a former England Under 20s captain.