Cowan-Dickie out to impress

By Mark Stevens

Luke Cowan-Dickie knows he can leave 'nothing in the tank' as he aims to be part of Stuart Lancaster's England squad for this autumn's Rugby World Cup.

As one of 50 players who reported into England's training base at Pennyhill Park on Monday, the 22-year-old Cornishman is hoping to use the next few weeks as the chance to cement his place within Lancaster's final 31-man squad.

Of course the likes of fellow hookers Tom Youngs, Rob Webber and Jamie George will have similar aspirations, but Cowan-Dickie is well aware of what he needs to do to fulfil a life-long dream.

"It's a massive few weeks coming up for all of us," said Cowan-Dickie, who has been joined in the England camp by fellow Chiefs Jack Nowell, Geoff Parling and Henry Slade.

"Myself and Nowellsy had a bit of a mini camp last week and that gave me a taste for things, but I know these next few weeks are going to be incredibly tough. At the same time, it's very exciting and I know I will have to push myself in training and show what I can do and what I can bring to the squad.



"From day one of camp you have to be ready for everything and leave nothing in the tank. There are going to be 50 players in camp and all of them want to be part of a World Cup squad. It's going to be tough, but it has to be given what is at stake."

Since emerging through Exeter's highly successful academy programme, Cowan-Dickie has not only gone on to feature regularly within the Aviva Premiership and Europe, but he has also donned the England jersey for both the Saxons and the Under-20s - the latter of whom he helped to win the Junior World Championships in 2013.

And more recently he also featured alongside fellow Chiefs Henry Slade and Will Chudley for England in their annual fixture with the Barbarians at Twickenham.

It's an environment that clearly suits the Truro-born forward, even though he may at times still feel somewhat 'daunted' about what lies ahead.

"Coming through the age groups with England, you tended to be with the same group of players and same staff for a couple of years, so it wasn't too bad," he added. "Coming here, even though I know people and I've been here before, it's still a bit daunting and at times you do feel like the new guy.

"Obviously the more time you spend in camp, the more you get to know the other players and the coaches, so I think once we get that first week out of the way, I'll feel a lot more comfortable and kick on from there."

With the likes of Slade and Nowell (pictured) alongside him, plus a few other familiar faces from time spent with the Saxons and Under-20s squads, Cowan-Dickie does at least have people he can bond with immediately.

"I know a few of the boys quite well, so that always helps," said Cowan-Dickie. "And to have four Chiefs in the squad is great and shows how far the club have come over the last few years. It shows how Stuart has been looking at Exeter and what we have been doing over the last year or so.

"Last season was a big year for a lot of us at the Chiefs and showed what we can do. I know we've got a few boys in this squad, but there could easily have been one or two more in there as well. I think it was great for someone like Will Chudley to get a run against the Barbarians as well, it shows we are moving in the right direction and hopefully we can do even better this season."



Already Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter had indicated he is keen for Exeter to build on last season's fine showing, where not only did the Devon club record a best-ever league finish in the Premiership, but they reached a first-ever European semi-final and came within a whisker of reclaiming their LV= Cup crown.

British & Irish Lions lock Parling is one of a number of new faces who have been added to the Sandy Park playing ranks, joining other key names such as Michele Campagnaro, Julian Salvi, Josh Jones and Ollie Woodburn.

"I think we've got a lot more depth to the squad this year, but we will need that as it's going to be a tough season." continued Cowan-Dickie. "To get back in the Champions Cup was one of our main aims last season, so it's great to be back in that competition."

Not that it will be easy for the Chiefs, who have been drawn against beaten finalists ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys and Bordeaux-Begles in a challenging Pool Two.

"Me and Nowellsy were following the draw on our phones and praying that we'd get a decent draw," explained Cowan-Dickie. "If you look at all the pools, there are no easy sides. Pool 5 with Bath, Toulon, Leinster and Wasps, that's just savage!

"I think our pool is pretty tough as well, but at the same time there is definitely a chance we could look to progress. Going to France twice will be a great experience and we know the Ospreys, especially at their place, will be a hard game. As I said, our aim last season was to get back into the competition and now we're there we'll give it go."