Cowan-Dickie suffers injury blow

By Mark Stevens
3/3/22

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, says Luke Cowan-Dickie is set to be out for a significant amount of time following a knee injury sustained on international duty with England last weekend.

The all-action hooker was forced from the field during the first half of the Guinness Six Nations Championship encounter with Wales at Twickenham.

Following that fixture, the Cornishman was assessed by both England and Exeter’s medical team and today Baxter delivered the news that the player is set for a spell on the sidelines.

“It’s a pretty significant knee ligament injury, which will need an operation,” said Baxter. “He’s going to be out for a significant amount of time, possibly until the end of the season.

“Obviously it’s a big blow, not just for us, but for Luke himself as he is a very important and very good player. We have got some hope that he could feature towards the end of the season, that is if we extend our season from getting into that top four, but right now it’s too early to say if that’s fully the case.

“As I said, the biggest blow is for Luke himself as he’s just cemented himself as a starter for England. He’s going well, he’s part of their leadership group and he’s a key player both for us and England. That said, he’s a very good rehabber and if there is a chance for him to get back, 100% he is the guy who can do it, so don’t write him off just yet.”

With Cowan-Dickie ruled out, it means Baxter and the Chiefs will continue to use the likes of Jack Innard and Jack Yeandle in the No.2 jersey moving forward.

“Jack Innard has been playing very well and Jack Yeandle, as always, brings real impact to things,” added Baxter. “Equally, it’s a good opportunity for some of our other hookers to step up and get involved as well, so we’ll just get on and do the best we can.”

Baxter confirmed Cowan-Dickie - who was part of the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa last summer - is likely to undergo his operation early next week.