England again row Ollie Chessum says the worry 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 a number 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 quick in a 94-point epic.
“I used to be adamant that there was a pink scrum out lurking within the background that was going to convey me down,” stated Chessum.
“So I simply pinned my ears again and hoped that no-one managed to seize on to my coattails and produce me to the ground.
“I’ve copped a number of stick, I feel, for not heading towards the posts. My brother’s despatched me a couple of issues, nevertheless it was unfamiliar territory for me to be in a line-break scenario like that.
“I am positive 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 prime dash velocity has been clocked at 9.3 metres per second.
“As quickly as he received the intercept I knew he was going to attain as a result of I understand how quick he’s,” stated Parling.
“He strikes very nicely for a giant man.
“I assumed he was distinctive in opposition to France – he saved making an attempt to drive the crew 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 have been nowhere close to the place we wished to be and that exhibits within the desk.
“I do not find out about it being a standard-setter, however I feel [the France performance] simply felt extra like us and the best way we wished to play.
“It felt like the best way we’ve got performed for almost all of final yr.
“I suppose, from our perspective, we would wish to attempt to bottle that feeling as a lot as potential.”
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 Highway to catch the top of Tigers’ 66-14 victory over Leicester within the Prem Rugby Cup closing.
