Cowan-Dickie reveals double life as one the best COD players in the world

Luke Cowan-Dickie is plotting a successful family dynasty as a Call of Duty gamer, but first the England hooker has Ireland in his sights.

Cowan-Dickie once occupied top spot in the war-based video game’s global rankings and he sees his skills with a control pad as a possible future once he hangs up his boots.

The Exeter Chief was forced to miss the Guinness Six Nations victory over Scotland because of the premature birth of his son Arlo, but he is back in contention for Sunday’s visit of Ireland.

“At one point I was the best in the world, on the remastered one. There are different game types – pro and publicly,” Cowan-Dickie said.

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“Publicly I was 26th in the world, but on hardcore session I got to number one. That’s just a lot of playing. I was injured at the time and I didn’t have a girlfriend. That’s the key to success in gaming!

“Streaming games on Twitch is now probably where it’s at – you don’t have to be too good a gamer, just have to be likeable.

“I watch players who have 25-30,000 people watching them. It could be an area I’ll look at after rugby. Might get my boy into it!”

Apart from Call Of Duty sessions, Cowan-Dickie has been using his pursuit of becoming England’s first-choice hooker to distract him from being away from home so soon after Arlo’s birth seven weeks before his due date.

"Rugby needs to decide what it wants to be"

The sport's current sponsorship structure might need a rethink and @Jbeardmore has a few suggestions https://t.co/XAx6ZONP7a

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 19, 2020

“It’s on my mind. Me and the Mrs have spoken and we are doing what we think is best at this time and if we are both happy with the decision then things will be all well and good,” he said.

“I speak to her quite a bit about how he’s getting on and about how she’s getting on. As soon as I’m on the field training I put it to the back of my mind.

“We have so much time off the field that I can switch off and then catch up with her.

“Call of Duty helps with my mental rest, even though I’m probably swearing at the screen!”

Dr Eddie gives the medical update https://t.co/BuFpH1JYYq

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 19, 2020

Cowan-Dickie has won all but three of his 22 caps off the bench, playing second fiddle to Jamie George, but there were rumours he was set to displace the Saracens front row against Scotland until his withdrawal.

“For everyone it’s your goal to start a Test match. We didn’t know what the team was going to be against Scotland,” Cowan-Dickie said.

“If I was going to start, then brilliant, but with how the squad is, we rely a lot on the finishers to make an impact off the bench.

“Whatever my role will be this week I will do the best of my ability. If I start, then absolutely brilliant, I have always wanted to. If I am on the bench, I know what my role will be.”

PA