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Cowan-Dickie's next move as England Test eligibility confirmed
It’s being reported that England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is set to join Sale Sharks after successfully passing a recent medical.
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Although ruled out of the Rugby World Cup, the move will provide Cowan-Dickie with an opportunity to extend his Test career. Gallagher Premiership finalists Sale are set to announce that they have secured the services of the 30-year-old hooker for the upcoming season, effectively offering him a fresh start after a switch to Top 14 giants Montpellier in France failed.
Cowan-Dickie’s much vaunted move to the south of France was marred by a series of missed medical appointments, but it was the French rugby’s stricter regulations concerning neck injuries which ultimately led to the cancellation of the deal.
The former Exeter Chiefs forward was then released from the England squad by coach Steve Borthwick last week, with persistent neck and shoulder issues cited as the cause. Despite this setback, Borthwick expressed his confidence in Cowan-Dickie’s abilities and highlighted his importance to English rugby.
“One thing I’m confident of is that he’ll be a big part of English rugby going forward,” said Borthwick.
The opportunity to join Alex Sanderson’s Sale Sharks presents the dynamic frontrower with a chance to prove his fitness and reclaim his place in the national setup. A British & Irish Lion in 2021, he’s been a key figure in England’s success in recent years.
Known for his physicality, agility, and outstanding set-piece skills, his absence from the World Cup was undoubtedly a blow for Borthwick, but with this move to Sale Sharks, Cowan-Dickie will remain eligible for selection once he returns to fitness. He will join fellow former Exeter players Tom O’Flaherty and England lock Jonny Hill in making the switch to the northern club.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Dan has always been as controversial as tea with milk so we were never going to get any definitive answer. So DMac for the win.
8 Go to commentsGoodness. When are the All Blacks and New Zealand commentators going to stop complaining about how they could have won and just try to win next time 😂. In South Africa if you lose you get up and try again. Get over it.
76 Go to commentsHonestly, it doesn’t matter a whole lot. RSA has a ton of experienced talent in its leadership group. I am more interested in who is the new 8 man/8 men and the younger props. The captain may change but the system does not
1 Go to comments“See you in the final” can mean whatever you want it to mean. To me it means that 12 Irish rugby players are a bunch of poeses. See y’all in Pretoria.
127 Go to commentsBen, you are one of the most arrogant and self opionated rugby critics I have ever come across (next to Keohane). I hoped that after SA beating the best ranked teams in the world on their way to the WC (something not done before) that you might have the grace to admit that this is a special team that deserved the accolades coming their way. You have no humility and as has been been already pointed out, merely a troll to attract audience numbers. Count me out in the future.
76 Go to comments‘War of independence’. Such a grand name for a few skirmishes. Where were all the great battles of this ‘war’ ? Smith got goosebumps as he was being emotionally manipulated, another mushroom.
1 Go to commentsFor all those disputing the veracity of Etzebeth’s very public recollections of the Irish players’ comments, I have one question: should we be holding our collective breath in anticipation of a barrage of strenuous denials from the Irish squad? Then again, perhaps not…
127 Go to comments> If the game of rugby is to grow globally, then the rugby Sth Africa play needs to be exterminated. Their performances at World Cup ‘19 & ‘23 were the antithesis to what the game should be. If the World Cup final is the grand spectacle of the game, please no more having to endure the drudgery and insipid ‘style ‘ of play harking back to pre WWII days, where the soulless rugby of the Bok reflected the mindset of a nation. > Gotta agree with Ben Smith, “ the Springboks took the trophy by default, with what might be the most unimpressive escape of all time “.
76 Go to commentsI think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
225 Go to commentsThis is like the “catches win matches" saying in cricket. If ABs were pragmatic and kicked for goal instead of hunting tries, I reckon they win that game with ease. Instead, nearly 6 months later; we have World Rugby's official mouthpiece celebrating their Almost Won the Rugby World Cup trophy. Fine Victory Gentleman! Well-earned!!
76 Go to comments“…the All Blacks nearly won…” is the only phrase you need to concern yourself with relative to this “journalistic” piece. Enjoy your Almost Won the World Cup victory…
76 Go to commentsAw common. Stop winging. There were no errors by officials. It is all recorded. Whose fault was the Cane red card? Or the Savea knock? Maybe the selectors who insisted on making a very average player their captain should be blamed. Something had to give way.
76 Go to commentsThe latest ‘Ireland are arrogant’ attack from one of the two most arrogant rugby nations on earth.
127 Go to commentsWaawaawaaaaaaaa
24 Go to commentsHow does this guy still have a job?
76 Go to commentsSorry bok you can't beat facts, we heard you all crowing how great you thought you were..lol ! We all watched the game, cheatsabeth cheating cost abs a try, only a penalty considering it was cynical and a professional foul, doesn't matter who wrote this because thats how it happened, but you go enjoy your gifting of the cup,
76 Go to commentsCan we talk about the context of how this particular journalist continues to make a living and gets published? Controversy for clicks. Shame on all of us for engaging with these irrelevant opinions.
76 Go to commentsAn astounding article !
76 Go to commentsFrance didn’t lose against New Zeland in 2011, but against Joubert…
76 Go to commentsHahahaha knew the “journalist” just by seeing the headline. Not wasting my time reading it as I know it's just another toxic manifestation of the boks living rent free in this babies head.
76 Go to comments