1
Another plot twist rocks Luke Cowan-Dickie's French move
By Ian Cameron
French media are once again reporting that Luke Cowan-Dickie could be set to find himself without a club for next season after Montpellier cancelled his contract.
The Exeter hooker's move to the French club has been under scrutiny in recent weeks due to a legacy neck injury, with stringent local laws meaning there are question marks over his ability to play professional rugby in France.
Last month Cowan-Dickie missed a scheduled medical examination with Montpellier - allegedly after a boozy night on the tiles - which caused doubts about his transfer in the French press. While the situation was downplayed as a media-lead exaggeration by Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter, it appears the deal may have hit the rocks once again.
The Exeter hooker's rescheduled medical examination was scheduled last week, and according to a report by Midi Olympique, the result was ‘inconclusive’. Reports claim that this will force Montpellier to cancel the player’s two-year contract, with an option for a third year, due to the neck injury, which has affected the strength of his right arm.
The 29-year-old had been out of action with an ankle injury he sustained in January, and he missed the rest of the season for Exeter Chiefs as well as England's Six Nations campaign.
The medical examination was necessary to provide conclusive proof that the neck injury is not a rated G3, which means that he cannot sign with a French team until his injury is no longer rated G3.
There is precedence for returning from such a ruling to play in France - Christopher Tolofua returned to Toulon after a year with Saracens in which he overcame a G3 ruling over a neck issue.
While the cancellation of his contract with Montpellier leaves Cowan-Dickie without a club, it does not mean that he will be forced into retirement. The player may still have opportunities to play in other leagues like the Premiership, URC or Japan or return to Exeter Chiefs with his tail between his legs. He could also, as with Tolofua, seek to have the issue rehabilitated and return to France down the line.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Four England talking points after their Six Nations rout of Wales
3
What Steve Borthwick told Matt Sherratt following Wales debacle
4
England player ratings vs Wales | 2025 Six Nations
5
Latest Comments
My name is Amelia Jonathan from the United States, Using this opportunity to thank Dr. Ughulu is a grateful thing to me, for over years I have been sick with Hepatitis B disease, I have done a lot of things to get cured of my diseases and nothing has worked out. I have taken different types of medication for it , but it still doesn’t work for me. I still keep going for a check up so that the doctor will tell me my disease has be gone, because i’m taking my medicine with no result nothing has been cured, I have spent a lot of money just to get cure of Hepatitis B. until my old time friend came to my place and saw what am going through, and then direct me to contact Dr. Ughulu who is a very powerful man, which I did explain my problem to Dr. Ughulu and send me a herbal remedy bottle and explain to me how I should drink it. So I started to drink the herbal tea in one week that I drink the herbal tea. I went for a check up to check if I’m cured from Hepatitis B disease, then the nurse told me nothing is wrong with me anymore and said I’m fine. I am the happiest person right now. I promise Dr Ughulu I will testify about his good work on the internet. Reach out to Dr. Ughulu Via: drughulupowerfulspelltemple@gmail.com Thank you so much sir for what you did for me you’re the best of all. TEXT OR CALL: +1(252) 409-1841 or website: https://drughulupowerfulsp.wixsite.com/my-site-ughulu WHATSAPP NUMBER: +1(720) 794-2516
Go to commentsI’d take the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls, and Lions back in a second. Super Rugby Pacific is improving and the conference system sucked ass and never should have been implemented but if you think the quality of rugby is better without the South African franchises, you are kidding yourself.
And there is nothing authentic about Moana Pacifika, it is a sixth NZ franchise. Almost all of the players are NZ citizens, born and raised in NZ, were developed by NZ secondary schools and play in the NPC. The players just happen to be of Pacific heritage (just as there are a very large number of Pacific heritage players on the original five NZ franchises). Moana Pacifika is a marketing ploy for Auckland’s second SRP franchise.
Fiji Drua are legitimately a Pacific island team. Most players are born in Fiji, the players live and train in Fiji, and they play their home matches in Fiji.
Go to comments