Exeter Chiefs hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie was expecting to become one of many summer exits from Sandy Park this season, as the England international had lined up a move to Montpellier in the French Top 14.
However, issues around Cowan-Dickie’s medical, and a reported incident resulting in the front-rower spending a night in a Montpellier ‘drunk tank’, sees the move remain uncompleted for now. Devon Live reported how Cowan-Dickie gave a recent update on the transfer situation.
“I went to my medical. There are some bits that are true, there are some bits that aren’t.” The 29-year-old said.
“I have got a bit of nerve damage and it is slowly coming back but I think they couldn’t risk me not being back for the start of the season.”
Luke Cowan-Dickie was expecting to move to Montpellier alongside Chiefs teammates Sam Simmonds and Harry Williams. However, expectations are that he may now continue his playing career in the Gallagher Premiership, with Sale Sharks rumoured to be interested in the hooker.
Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell will also be heading out to the Top 14 next season, with reports that he has agreed a move to 2023 Heineken Champions Cup winners La Rochelle. Nowell gave his thoughts on the transfer situation, and how he could see Cowan-Dickie staying in Devon.
Nowell added (via Devon Live): “I don’t know the ins and outs of it, all I know is he was very sheepish when he got back.
“I am not too sure what happened there to be honest, with Dickie no one ever knows. I am not sure he even knows what happened.
“I know he is struggling a bit from his neck op, I know he is getting a lot better now, but I don’t really know what happened out there.
“I don’t think he is going to struggle [to find a club]. I think he will probably stay at the club [Exeter Chiefs].”
“Huge stars miss out” – Steve Borthwick set to confirm World Cup training squad
Rumours suggest that England’s preliminary 55-man Rugby World Cup squad will include Tom Pearson, an uncapped player from London Irish, as well as Zach Mercer, a number 8 from Montpellier, and Manu Tuilagi, an ace from Sale Sharks.
However, it is even more intriguing that several big names have reportedly been left out by Steve Borthwick, which severely diminishes their chances of making the final team for the tournament in September.
The England coach is expected to announce his training squad within the next few weeks in preparation for their four warm-up games.
Below are five players who have allegedly been snubbed.
#1. Joe Marler
Marler violated one of Steve Borthwick’s primary rules earlier this year, which is the “no sh**talking policy” for the England team.
Consequently, despite his impressive performance with Harlequins this season, he was excluded from the Six Nations squad.
Recently, Marler received a six-week ban (with four weeks suspended) for making inappropriate remarks about Bristol flanker Jake Heenan’s mother.
As he approaches his mid-30s, the possibility of Marler returning to international play appears increasingly improbable.
