Cowan-Dickie's Montpellier deal on knife edge after boozy night out

Luke Cowan-Dickie’s much publicized move to Montpellier could be off after he allegedly failed to turn up for a medical due to a boozy night out. The England hooker was set to join the French Top 14 side, but his failure to attend a medical examination has put the move in jeopardy.

Cowan-Dickie, who currently plays for Exeter Chiefs and has 44 England caps to his name, was due to prove his fitness under stricter rules surrounding injuries in France. However, multiple reports from the likes of L’Equipe, Midi Olympique and RMC suggest that he failed to attend the second day of his medical, leading to Montpellier reportedly tearing up his lucrative deal.

Neither Montpellier nor the hooker have commented on the situation.

The move to Montpellier had surprised many in the rugby community, as Cowan-Dickie is widely regarded as one of England’s top players. The 29-year-old has been a consistent performer for Exeter and has also been a key figure for England in recent years.

However, the events of the past few days have thrown his immediate future into doubt. It remains to be seen what the exact circumstances of his alleged boozy night out were and whether they will have a lasting impact on his new career in France.

The move to Montpellier was seen as a major step for Cowan-Dickie, who was reportedly set to earn a substantial salary increase. However, it now appears that his decision to leave Exeter may have been foolhardy.

“Playing for England is the pinnacle of your career, so it’s tough to leave that behind,” said the hooker when his Exeter exit was confirmed earlier in the year. “I still think I have lots more to give, and hopefully I get more opportunities between now and the move.

“We’ve got the Six Nations coming up, then the World Cup, and I want to be involved in both.

“The only way I can do that, however, is by playing well at club level. That is my aim, and we will see what happens in the future.

“I have been at the Chiefs for 12 years, and it is all I’ve known.

“That said, this opportunity came up and it was one that I had to think long and hard about. I spoke a lot with my family about it, and it wasn’t an easy decision to make in the end.

“Obviously, it is a different competition, a different language – which I will have to learn – but I think it is time for a change.

“Hopefully, I’ve still got plenty of years left in my career, but this is an opportunity for me to go over there and show what I am all about.”