Last chance to vote for Luke

By Mark Stevens

There is less than one week remaining for supporters of the Exeter Chiefs to get behind hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie in his quest to be crowned this season's LV= Cup Breakthrough Player Award

The young Cornishman will be looking to follow in the studmarks of team-mate and England star Jack Nowell, who himself picked up the prestigious accolade 12 months ago.

The 20-year-old, who last weekend made his first-ever Aviva Premiership start for the Chiefs in their home win over London Irish, will be battling it out for the prize alongside some of the brightest young talent in England and Wales.

Also in the hunt for the prize are Saracens duo Matt Hankin and Ben Ransom, Ollie Devoto (Bath), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Zach Kibirige (Newcastle Falcons), Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers), Owen Williams (Cardiff Blues) and London Wasps pair Sam Jones and Jonah Holmes.

Launched in September 2011, the LV= Breakthrough Player Award is designed to recognise the wealth of impressive young talent on show in the competition. Two players from each round, along with two 'wildcard' players, who have strong overall competition statistics; compiled by Opta, will form a shortlist which will be submitted to a fan vote on www.lv.com/rugby.

Fans will vote for the winner of the LV= Breakthrough Player Award from the end of Round Four until 9am on Monday, March 10. The winner will be announced prior to the LV=Cup Final and LV= will donate £1,000 to a grassroots rugby initiative of the winner's choice.

The LV=Cup, watch the next generation break through. For more information on the LV= Breakthrough Player Award and voting, visit www.LV.com/rugby