Luke's firing on all cylinders

Exeter Chiefs hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie insists he is back fully fit and determined to secure an extended run in Rob Baxter's starting XV after back-to-back appearances in the Heineken Cup.

Cowan-Dickie missed the start of the season with a knee injury and was confirmed as dual registered with Championship outfit Plymouth Albion towards the back end of last year.

The 20-year-old featured four times for Plymouth Albion before returning to the Chiefs' plans and starting their penultimate Heineken Cup clash against Glasgow Warriors.

Cowan-Dickie played the full 80 minutes before featuring for seven as a replacement as Exeter ended their Heineken Cup campaign with a 19-13 win at Cardiff Blues.

And, with the LV= Cup returning for two matches against the Ospreys and Worcester Warriors, followed by the Aviva Premiership, where Exeter are bidding to crack back into the top six, Cowan-Dickie wants to play his part.

"I was injured for the start of the year and I have only been back the last month or two. I have played about four full games and I really want to go out their and prove myself to the club and play well and hopefully perform," he said.

"The physios have done a really good job here - I have done my knee before - and they just got me back as quick as possible but in the right way. I think I am back up to fitness and to strength, I am probably a bit stronger than I was because I did a lot in the gym when I was out.

"My fitness is coming back and I feel good. Every bit of game time is good because with each game you get fitter and fitter. Now I have a few games under my belt hopefully I can go in there and go fine."

Cowan-Dickie expects Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter to ring the changes for the return of the LV= Cup with Exeter welcoming Welsh outfit Ospreys to Sandy Park.

And, having sat on the bench for the most of the win over Cardiff Blues, that could spell good news for Cowan-Dickie and his ambition to get back playing regular rugby.

"The mood is quite good at the minute, especially off the back of a win away at Cardiff. We were all happy to get the win and now building up to this week we are hoping to get another win," he added.

"Rob is giving the boys a chance, so the guys that have been sitting on the bench he is putting them to start or putting them in the team. So the younger guys and seeing if they can perform well."