Latest Cowan-Dickie injury takes gloss off impressive Exeter win
Exeter bounced back from a five-try drubbing against Gallagher Premiership leaders Saracens last weekend as they swept Northampton aside 35-12 at Sandy Park. The Chiefs’ bonus-point success saw them climb three places to fifth after first-half tries from number eight Sam Simmonds, wing Olly Woodburn and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie put them in control.
Cowan-Dickie added a second try after the break, although he then gave new England head coach Steve Borthwick an injury scare four weeks out from the Six Nations when he limped off after appearing to hurt his ankle. The hooker’s start versus Northampton was his first since a December 17 Heineken Champions Cup injury.
Centre Henry Slade also scored, while fly-half Joe Simmonds kicked five conversions, with Saints restricted to tries from Fraser Dingwall and Matt Proctor, plus a George Furbank conversion. An infinitely tougher test awaits Exeter in Pretoria next weekend when they resume Champions Cup action against the Bulls at altitude – with forecast temperatures of 30-plus degrees.
But they will travel to South Africa on Sunday after putting themselves just one point adrift of the top four and quickly erasing the Saracens result from their memory bank. Northampton, though, once again underlined a chronic lack of consistency, suffering a comprehensive reversal just six days after crushing Harlequins 46-17.
It was their fourth defeat from the last five games in all competitions and they must now regroup for fierce Champions Cup examinations against Munster and La Rochelle. Cowan-Dickie was among several players who returned to action for Exeter, being joined by the likes of lock Dafydd Jenkins and flanker Dave Ewers.
Northampton, meanwhile, switched Furbank from full-back to fly-half instead of Fin Smith, who is progressing through return-to-play protocols after suffering a head knock against Quins last weekend, while wing Courtnall Skosan and hooker Mike Haywood also featured. Wet and blustery conditions did not hinder Exeter and they took a third-minute lead after a lineout drive ended with Sam Simmonds crossing wide and his brother Joe kicking the touchline conversion.
Northampton could make little headway and they conceded a second Exeter try after 15 minutes when they were architects of their own downfall. Full-back Tommy Freeman made a costly attempt to run possession out of his own 22, Exeter stole possession and, after his opposite number Josh Hodge was held just short, Woodburn touched down, with Joe Simmonds again converting.
Woodburn celebrated scoring his 50th Premiership try and it was a dominant opening quarter from the Chiefs, with Saints having no answer to their forward power. Northampton fell further behind eleven minutes before half-time when another lineout drive put them in reverse gear and Cowan-Dickie claimed an Exeter try that Joe Simmonds converted.
Saints did not create a notable scoring opportunity during the first period and it already looked like damage limitation for them halfway through the contest as Exeter led 21-0. Matters did not improve after the break, though, as Cowan-Dickie pounced for his second try on 44 minutes, which confirmed an inevitable bonus point.
Saints boss Phil Dowson sent on Scotland international Rory Hutchinson and he was immediately involved in setting up a try for midfield partner Dingwall. But normal service was quickly resumed when Slade pounced for Exeter’s fifth try, intercepting Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell’s pass before sprinting clear.
Proctor finished impressively as Saints briefly rallied, but it was a day for Northampton to forget after they were dominated in every key area.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments