Cowan-Dickie set his sights high

By Nick Warren

Luke Cowan-Dickie has already set his sights on establishing himself as Exeter Chiefs’ first-choice hooker after leaving England’s tour injured.

The 20-year-old was called up by Stuart Lancaster for the four-match tour of New Zealand, but returned home last week without playing a game after twisting a knee in training.

Rather than taking some time off now as planned, the academy graduate will instead work with the club’s medical staff to get his knee right as soon as possible.

He is hoping he does not need surgery and will be able to play a part in pre-season.

Cowan-Dickie said: “I just twisted it (his knee) in training. Things are on the mend, it wasn’t anything major, we just want to get on top of it for next season.

“We’re not too sure whether I’ll need an operation but hopefully a bit of re-hab will sort it and I’ll be back playing again. I’ll probably be back in straight away next week because I want to get my knee right for next season.

“I only played half the season last year so I really want to get ready for pre-season. The physios are keen to see me back in so I’ll try to get on top of it as soon as I can.”

Cowan-Dickie started the last two games of last season but knows he will have a fight on his hands to pull on the No. 2 jersey again next term.

Jack Yeandle was first-choice for most of the campaign, while Tongan Elvis Taione has been signed from Jersey in the wake of Chris Whitehead’s retirement through injury.

“It’s a big season for me now at Exeter. I’m going back there now looking to perform at my best to pick up the starting shirt there,” said Cowan-Dickie.

“I played a bit last year, that was a great experience for me, and I really want to get back now, get on top of my knee and start training hard and proving myself.

“Jack’s a quality player, he’s had a really good season or two, and I haven’t seen the new guy Elvis but he’s a big lad. There’s going to be a massive battle for the No. 2 shirt but hopefully I can show something a bit different in my game, get my set-piece up to scratch and get the jersey.”

Although his time with the England squad did not end as he would have wanted, Cowan-Dickie thinks he learned a lot from being in the international set-up.

As well as picking up things from the likes of forwards coach Graham Rowntree, plus fellow coaches Mike Catt and Andy Farrell, the former England under-20s ace also tapped into the experience of the other hookers.

He hopes those lessons will help him become a better player next season.

“I spoke to Graham quite a bit on scrums and stuff like that because I’m still new to hooker,” he said. “I think I’ve learned a lot from him and from Catty and Faz.

“I know I was only there for nine days but it’s great how much I feel I have learned. It was unbelievable to be part of the squad, especially where I came from having been injured at the start of the season.

“It’s good to get the coaches’ views on you as a player and you also get to work with the other hookers who have been there for a while and you get to see what their traits are and what they’re good at. The coaches have told me what they’re looking for in a hooker and why I was there, which was really good.”