After injuring his knee ligaments, Luke Cowan-Dickie, England’s hooker could be out for the remainder of the season.
It’s a very serious injury. “It’s an operative injury to a knee ligament, and a little cartilage damage,” explained Rob Baxter, Exeter director of rugby.
“He’s certainly going to be out during a significant amount of time, possibly for the rest of this season.”
This means that Jamie George of Saracens is likely to be England’s first-choice hooker in the Six Nations. Newcastle’s Jamie Blamire will back him up.
Cowan-Dickie was not able to attend the Premiership season after having won three Test caps in South Africa for the British Lions and Irish Lions last summer.
The Cornishman was then injured ankle ligaments in October,He was limited to eight games at Exeter this season.
Baxter stated that “it’s a huge blow, he’s a vital player here, and a very good player,” BBC Sport added.
“We hope that he will be able to feature at the tail end, especially if we can prolong the season by being in top four,” said the team. However, it is too early for us yet to know.
“He was there, cemented in as an England starter, part of their leader group, and going well with England. So it’s a personal tragedy for him as well.
“But he is a very skilled rehabber and if he can be back before the end the season, then he’s the type of guy who can, so let’s keep him in the game.