Inside Luke Cowan-Dickie's return to England's starting side
England Rugby’s Luke Cowan-Dickie made his first Guinness Men’s Six Nations start in over three years in last weekend’s meet with Ireland.
Injuries had forced the hooker into a long lay-off, but the difficult and sometimes painful journey has sweetened the position he finds himself in now, as the hooker explains in the latest episode of O2 Inside Line: This Rose.
“It’s been about three years since I started in the Six Nations so it’s good to get back out there,” he said. “My main role at my club is starting so hopefully I can put my best foot forward here and perform well for the side. I want to perform at my best to give the team the opportunity to win.
“It has been a tough old road, but when isn’t life tough? That’s what I keep telling myself - but I’ve been given the opportunity to start in this game so I’m buzzing.”
“You can never take this for granted, but you never take it for what it is when you’re first involved.
“The first time I was involved with England I loved every minute of it and I thought I cherished it, I thought it was everything, but being out to now coming back in this time around has been ten times better.”
Surgery on a neck injury left Cowan-Dickie unable to lift his right arm and meant months on the sideline. When he finally returned, he only played a handful of matches before a heart issue prevented him from playing for a few more months.
Now recovered and back playing regularly for his club, he returned to the England fold during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series and started against Ireland last Saturday, but the enforced time out has given him a new outlook on his rugby career.
“Injury wise your career can be over so quickly so I’m taking each day being happy to be here, even though I’m slightly older and a grumpy old man in the midst of this place.
“I try to be happy every day, enjoy how hard or easy it is every day and grab it with both hands.”
