Leicester Tigers captain Ollie Chessum makes his season debut as the club travels to France for the inaugural 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup match. The England international, recovering from a foot injury, leads a five-man change in the starting XV following last weekend’s Slater Cup victory over Gloucester. Chessum is joined by Joel Sclavi, Joaquín Moro, Tom Whiteley, and Adam Radwan, while Freddie Steward remains a key figure in the backline. Head coach Geoff Parling aims to establish early momentum in the group stage, relying on the depth of his squad to navigate the challenging conditions at Stade du Hameau.
Ollie Chessum returns to captain Leicester in the 2026-27 Investec Champions Cup opener.
Section Paloise presents a formidable defensive structure under captain Loïc Credoz, who anchors a side featuring Olympic sevens gold medalist Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang. The French club counters with its own international strength, fielding Théo Attissogbe and Fabien Brau-Boirie in the starting lineup. With Facundo Isa and Santiago Grondona providing impact options off the bench, Pau is poised to exploit any transitional errors by the Tigers. This clash represents a tactical battle between Leicester’s structured forward play and Pau’s physical, high-pressing defensive system.
Fans in the United States can watch the Section Paloise vs. Leicester Tigers live stream exclusively on FloRugby and the FloSports app. The match kicks off on Sunday, October 18, at Stade du Hameau. This fixture serves as the critical opening test for both franchises in the new Champions Cup era, with early results potentially shaping the trajectory of their respective campaigns. Viewers should tune in for a high-intensity contest where set-piece discipline and individual brilliance will determine the winner.
Source: florugby.com
