Cowan-Dickie injury update

By Mark Stevens
25/1/23

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter says he remains hopeful that Luke Cowan-Dickie will be back in action before the end of the season.

The England and British & Irish Lions hooker suffered a serious ankle injury against Northampton Saints earlier this month - and has since undergone surgery to repair the damage caused in the Gallagher Premiership fixture.

Asked by the media how the 29-year-old was progressing, Baxter confirmed the forward would take no part in the upcoming Guinness Six Nations Championship, but said the Cornishman was on course to return before the end of the regular season.

“The timings say he should be there or thereabouts towards the end of the season,” said Baxter. "Sometimes those things can change by weeks either way, but if we get progression games that obviouslyt helps a lot and starts to extend the season.

"I think he is confident he will be back way before then, that is what Luke is like, but a combination of the two probably means he will get there. That's great news for us, great news for England going into a World Cup year, but if anyone can get themselves ready to go in a short space of time, it'll be Luke Cowan-Dickie."

Cowan-Dickie's injury timeline adds further pressure on Steve Borthwick’s hooker stocks, especially with Jamie George withdrawing from the squad with a concussion and George McGuigan with a knee problem.

Unless Saracens hooker George recovers in time, Jack Walker is likely to earn an England debut against Scotland on February 4. Bath’s Tom Dunn has also been called into the squad to cover for the injuries and could add to his three Test caps.