Luke Cowan-Dickie was a mysterious absence for England during the Six Nations with the Sale Sharks hooker initially named in the squad for the tournament.
The hooker, who missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a shoulder problem, had only battled back from his latest setback when a scary moment struck during Sale’s match against La Rochelle in January.
Speaking to Neil Squires at Rugby Pass, he said: “It was after about 20 minutes. I just didn’t feel right. I felt like I was going to pass out. Everything was going real black in front of me,
“I got to half time but when I came back out my lips started to go a bit numb. I spoke to one of the physios about it and they pulled me off. I went to hospital, had an ECG done and found out my heart had gone into AF – I had no idea what that was.”
Cowan-Dickie continued: “They flipped my heart back at the hospital,” he said. “I had a heart monitor on for five days and I had an MRI scan. When the results came back everything was absolutely fine.
“I asked the doctor what might have caused it and he said it could have been a bang but he wasn’t really sure. He said it can happen when you are run down.
“I have felt absolutely fine ever since but if it ever happens again I have flecainide tablets with me all the time to take to sort it out.
“It was just my luck. I come back from injury, get back into the England squad and am out again with something random like that.”
Referee is rugby union’s richest man with an incredible net worth of £39.3m
The rugby world isn’t just about breathtaking tries and fierce tackles; it’s also a realm where fortunes are made. Here’s the lowdown on the top 10 wealthiest rugby players right now:
Credit: The South African for the original data
10. Owen Farrell – £1.46 million ($2 million)
Saracens are making waves in the Premiership, and Owen Farrell, their skipper, is reaping the rewards. The bulk of his net worth, a cool £1.46 million, flows directly from his dedication to Saracens.
9. Maro Itoje – £1.46 million ($2 million)
Teammate to Farrell both at England and Saracens, Maro Itoje is on a trajectory to become one of rugby’s highest earners. His salary, comparable to the national skipper’s, showcases his potential.
8. Charles Piutau – £1.85 million ($2.5 million)
Former All Blacks player Charles Piutau’s move to Bristol Bears came with an eyewatering salary. The club’s investment in him during his five seasons speaks volumes about his impact.