England again row Ollie Chessum says the concern of being chased down by Louis Bielle-Biarrey, France’s free-scoring, high-speed wing, spooked him as he went in for a 60m intercept strive in England’s 48-46 Six Nations defeat on Saturday.
Chessum, who scored two tries, arrange a 3rd and was England’s star performer in Paris, admitted he had “copped lots of stick” for not scoring nearer to the posts as he ran in unopposed within the 51st minute.
Fly-half Fin Smith missed the following conversion from out close to the left-hand 10m line and England in the end got here up simply brief in a 94-point epic.
“I used to be adamant that there was a crimson scrum out lurking within the background that was going to deliver me down,” stated Chessum.
“So I simply pinned my ears again and hoped that no-one managed to seize on to my coattails and convey me to the ground.
“I’ve copped lots of stick, I feel, for not heading towards the posts. My brother’s despatched me just a few issues, nevertheless it was unfamiliar territory for me to be in a line-break scenario like that.
“I am certain Fin would have thanked me for it being a bit nearer, however I can not flip again the clock now.”
Bielle-Biarrey, who scored 4 tries in France’s win, was in shut attendance as Chessum picked off Matthieu Jalibert’s cross on his personal 10m line, however neither he, Jalibert or full-back Thomas Ramos may tun and catch the Leicester man earlier than the road.
Chessum’s rating got here as no shock to Tigers’ coach Geoff Parling, who revealed that the 25-year-old’s high dash velocity has been clocked at 9.3 metres per second.
“As quickly as he obtained the intercept I knew he was going to attain as a result of I understand how quick he’s,” stated Parling.
“He strikes very effectively for an enormous man.
“I assumed he was distinctive in opposition to France – he stored attempting to drive the staff ahead and that’s what he does for us too.”
Chessum stated England’s final-round show was an enchancment however couldn’t masks a depressing Six Nations marketing campaign that returned just one victory from 5 matches and led to a fifth-place end.
“It was a irritating few weeks, there is not any hiding the frustration and frustration,” he stated.
“For the center of these three weeks [defeats against Scotland, Ireland and Italy], we had been nowhere close to the place we needed to be and that exhibits within the desk.
“I do not learn about it being a standard-setter, however I feel [the France performance] simply felt extra like us and the best way we needed to play.
“It felt like the best way we now have performed for almost all of final yr.
“I suppose, from our perspective, we might need to attempt to bottle that feeling as a lot as attainable.”
Chessum landed again at London Heathrow from Paris on Sunday lunchtime and he and Leicester team-mate Jack van Poortvliet took a taxi straight to Mattioli Woods Welford Street to catch the top of Tigers’ 66-14 victory over Leicester within the Prem Rugby Cup ultimate.
