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Cowan-Dickie's next move as England Test eligibility confirmed

Luke Cowan-Dickie of Exeter celebrates scoring a try during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A match between Exeter Chiefs and Vodacom Bulls at Sandy Park on December 17, 2022 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

It’s being reported that England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is set to join Sale Sharks after successfully passing a recent medical.

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Although ruled out of the Rugby World Cup, the move will provide Cowan-Dickie with an opportunity to extend his Test career. Gallagher Premiership finalists Sale are set to announce that they have secured the services of the 30-year-old hooker for the upcoming season, effectively offering him a fresh start after a switch to Top 14 giants Montpellier in France failed.

Cowan-Dickie’s much vaunted move to the south of France was marred by a series of missed medical appointments, but it was the French rugby’s stricter regulations concerning neck injuries which ultimately led to the cancellation of the deal.

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The former Exeter Chiefs forward was then released from the England squad by coach Steve Borthwick last week, with persistent neck and shoulder issues cited as the cause. Despite this setback, Borthwick expressed his confidence in Cowan-Dickie’s abilities and highlighted his importance to English rugby.

“One thing I’m confident of is that he’ll be a big part of English rugby going forward,” said Borthwick.

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The opportunity to join Alex Sanderson’s Sale Sharks presents the dynamic frontrower with a chance to prove his fitness and reclaim his place in the national setup. A British & Irish Lion in 2021, he’s been a key figure in England’s success in recent years.

Known for his physicality, agility, and outstanding set-piece skills, his absence from the World Cup was undoubtedly a blow for Borthwick, but with this move to Sale Sharks, Cowan-Dickie will remain eligible for selection once he returns to fitness. He will join fellow former Exeter players Tom O’Flaherty and England lock Jonny Hill in making the switch to the northern club.

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J
JW 5 hours ago
The Fergus Burke test and rugby's free market

Of course not, but were not going to base our reasoning on what is said in one comment in a particular scenario and time, are we?


Actually, you are? Seriously?

Although Burke readily admits “I am driven by international rugby”, his final destination is still unknown. He could be one day replacing Finn Russell in the navy blue of Scotland, or challenging Marcus Smith for the right to wear a red rose on his chest, or cycling all the way home to the silver fern. It is all ‘Professor Plum in the billiards room with the lead pipe’ type guesswork, as things stand.

You yourself suggested it? Just theoretically? Look I hope Burke does well, but he's not really a player that has got a lot of attention, you've probably read/heard more him in this last few months than we have in his 4 years. Your own comments also suggest going overseas is a good idea to push ones case for national selection, especially for a team like NZ being so isolated. So i'll ask again, as no of your quotes obviously say one thing or the other, why don't you think he might be trying to advance his case like Leicester did?


Also, you can look at Leicesters statements in a similar fashion, where no doubt you are referring to his comments made while in NZ (still playing a big part of the WC campaign in his case). You should be no means have taken them for granted, and I'd suggest any other coach or management and he might not have returned (been wanted back).

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