Winning mentality is Michael Cheika's legacy at Leicester says star-man
Leicester lock Ollie Chessum is certain that Michael Cheika's influence will leave a lasting imprint on the club, regardless of the outcome in his final match as head coach against Bath in the Gallagher Premiership final.
A season of transition awaits at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with ex-Leicester player Geoff Parling poised to take the reins once the Australian leaves upon the conclusion of his one-year contract.
Despite celebrating their last Premiership final victory just a few seasons ago, the Tigers ended up in eighth place in a lacklustre 2023-24 campaign.
The arrival of Cheika – who took the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final and then guided Argentina into the last four two years ago – saw Leicester's fortunes transformed.
On the back of a new-found mental resilience, Cheika's men were driven on to second place in the table behind Bath.
Chessum, who fought his way back to fitness following a knee injury suffered in an England training camp in October, feels 58-year-old Cheika deserves plenty of plaudits for helping turn the club around.
'We were in a real good spot a few years ago as a group, and we probably lost our way a little bit and that is how you find yourself down in eighth and out of the play-offs,' said Chessum, set to be part of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
'There is no denying that something needed to change in quite a few aspects of our game.
'Cheiks will say we have probably not changed too much technically, but it is just around that mental side and the emotional side of the game is what has really changed everything this year and has put us in this spot.'
Chessum, 24, added: 'He just finds a way to galvanise the group, get them to find a real meaning in what they are doing and use that to to drive them on. Our mental approach for the team has changed massively towards games.
'He will say that goes a huge way towards winning, it is just believing you can do it and sort of shocking yourself really with what you are able to do as an individual.
'The way he has changed how the team approaches the game mentally has been a huge part of what he will leave as a legacy.'
Cheika has named an unchanged side from the semi-final win over Sale for Saturday's showpiece at the Allianz Stadium, which will see several Leicester players make their last appearance in a Tigers shirt.
Club stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs will retire while captain Julian Montoya, South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard, James Cronin and Matt Rogerson are all set to depart.
Leicester lost home and away to Bath during the regular campaign, beaten 43-15 at The Recreation Ground in May.
Chessum knows the Tigers will have to step up to the challenge as Bath seek to complete a trophy treble with what would be the Somerset club's first league title since 1996.
'They don't just play this stylish brand of rugby – they have still got this huge pack that can can break you down physically as well, so they are a great team,' Chessum said.
'We will have to front up on all fronts and be at our best to beat them, but that is the beauty of the challenge and of finals rugby.'
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