England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie’s imminent club confirmation is just around the corner, ensuring his continued presence in the highly competitive Gallagher Premiership.
Steve Borthwick, the head coach of the England team, is thrilled with this development.
Contrary to previous reports in The Rugby Paper linking the hooker with a move to Stade Francais, the Mail Online reveals that he will be joining Sale Sharks.
Meanwhile, former Argentina captain Agustin Creevy has signed with the club while South African Akker van der Merwe has departed to head home
The addition of another British and Irish Lion to Sale Sharks’ pack would be a significant boost for the team, especially after their loss in the Premiership finals, where a malfunctioning lineout played a part in their defeat against Saracens.
According to the latest report, Cowan-Dickie is currently experiencing a slow and frustrating recovery from neck surgery.
Nonetheless, he has already completed one medical examination at Sale Sharks, and if he successfully completes a second one, he will join Jonny Hill and Tom O’Flaherty in making the move from Exeter to the Sharks.
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Rob Baxter confirms only three new Exeter signings after 16 departures
Exeter fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the club announces the signing of three new players today with more set to follow.
This news comes as a welcome distraction from the weeks of headlines about their star players leaving for foreign clubs.
Departures from the team at the end of the season include Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Simmonds, Joe Simmonds, Harry Williams, Jannes Kirsten, and Dave Ewers and Jack Nowell.
Check out their new signings below:
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#1. Will Haydon-Wood
Heading to Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 season is former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half, Will Haydon-Wood, who will join the Gallagher Premiership club from French Pro D2 side, Massy Esonne.
The 22-year-old playmaker is no strange to English rugby’s top-flight and his addition is another boost for the Chiefs, who have already confirmed the arrivals of Joe Hawkins and Ethan Roots from the Ospreys.
“It’s a really exciting move for me,” said the former England Under-20s international. “Obviously, I’ve come up against the Chiefs in the past and I know how much of a force they have become, not just within the English game, but also across Europe as well.
“Talking with Rob [Baxter] he’s outlined the vision of the club and how they are in the process of building a new and exciting, young squad. Listening to what he had to say and with the players they have at the club, it was a pretty easy decision in the end.”
Having started this season at Wasps following a number of years at the Falcons, Haydon-Wood was forced to look for new employment last October when the Midlands club were forced to withdraw from all competitions following the collapse of the former English and European champions.