‘Huge’ moment for Cowan-Dickie as 50th cap beckons

England v. Australia: Quilter Nations Series

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After overcoming a career-ending injury and a heart condition, Luke Cowan-Dickie, who now plays for England, said he never considered winning a 50th cap.

The 32-year-old hooker, who is in line to reach the milestone with Australia at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, was just relieved to be back enjoying his passion.

When a neck operation at the beginning of 2023 failed, the two-time British and Irish Lion suffered nerve damage to his right arm.

Cowan-Dickie’s heart stopped moving after returning to the game with Sale a year later.

When I returned to play, I really didn’t have a 50th in my head. I didn’t believe that playing for England would ever happen again.

It will be very difficult for me to avoid it because it might happen this autumn.

“There were a few instances where we weren’t sure whether or not playing was the right course of action,” the specialist said.

“But I persevered because rugby is such a significant part of my life.” I was trying to resume playing.

Cowan-Dickie won the Premiership and the Champions Cup with Exeter, but he rekindled his career there after a final-minute decision to leave for France.

Although a head injury prevented him from the first Test, he made his return to England last fall, and his form in the Six Nations helped him secure a spot on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

He said, “Sale signed me when I was probably at my worst with my shoulder, and they helped me get back up and running.”

“I wasn’t playing amazing, but my form eventually led to my return to international contention.”

“From there, it’s more about just being back and taking it all in than worrying about my 50th cap.”

In 2015, Cowan-Dickie made his England debut just a few months ahead of fellow hooker Jamie George, who has won 102 caps.

The highlight of Cowan-Dickie’s England career, according to Cowan-Dickie, are the winning of the 2016 Grand Slam and being a member of the squad that reached the 2019 World Cup’s final, memorably defeating defending champions New Zealand in the semi-finals.

He said, “I had the honor of playing in the final two Grand Slam games of 2016”.

“It shows Jack Nowell and I waving a Cornish flag,” the photo shows. That is something that is unquestionably in my head.

In the Prem match, Cowan-Dickie and teenage sensation Noah Caluori made an official debut for Saracens, scoring five tries and introducing himself to the rugby world as a generational talent.

Everyone who saw the game took notice of Caluori’s ability to soar high into the air and catch the ball.

Although I’m not sure if I’m seeing anything, Cowan-Dickie said, “There was a time when his studs could have touched my forehead.” I was shocked as he ran 20 yards before catching the ball.

He “hears high before hanging there like the clock strikes a stop” When he heads the ball, he jumps and flies, like Cristiano Ronaldo.

Steve Borthwick’s choice to name the youngster in his England squad for the autumn internationals was supported by Cowan-Dickie.

Because playing for your country is completely different from playing for your club rugby, Cowan-Dickie said, “you don’t have to play him, but you should get him in training and around the squad.”