Luke Cowan-Dickie: England hooker to miss the rest of Six Nations due to injury

England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie will play no further part in his country’s Six Nations campaign due to a knee injury sustained in their recent victory against Wales.

The 28-year-old Exeter Chief could be sidelined for the rest of the season due to the damage sustained in the first half of his team’s 23-19 triumph at Twickenham.

Cowan-Dickie’s injury means he will sit out England’s last two Six Nations Tests in the tournament against Ireland and France.

Significant setback

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “It’s a pretty significant injury. It’s knee ligament and a bit of cartilage damage.

“There’s further assessment going on but he’s definitely going to be out for a significant period of time, possibly the rest of the season.”

However, England’s tight five might be reinforced for the title clash with Ireland at Twickenham on March 12 by the possible return of Jonny Hill from a high ankle stress fracture that has kept him out since the start of the year.

Hill produced his most impressive international form during the Autumn Nations Series and is now closing in on a full recovery.

“We’re disappointed for Luke, for Exeter and for ourselves. He’s a very important player to the team and a leader of the group as well,” forwards coach Richard Cockerill said.

“It’s a blow to the team but we’ve got good cover. Jamie’s a fantastic player. He’s proved that for the last 10 years or so.

“He did a great job when he came on against Wales and I’m sure he’s looking forward to doing that again.

“Jonny Hill took a full part in training yesterday (Wednesday) and today. It’s positive news on him.

“If Jonny comes through training fully with no reaction, there’s a good chance he’ll be available for selection.”

Flanker Tom Curry is progressing through the return to play protocols for concussion and is expected to be available for the visit of Andy Farrell’s resurgent Ireland, but Manu Tuilagi is unlikely to be involved.

Tuilagi is recovering from a minor hamstring strain incurred 48 hours before the Wales match, with his rehabilitation taking place at his club Sale rather than in England camp.

Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson is to hold talks with England after the Six Nations to agree the best way to manage a vitally important player whose career has undermined by repeated injuries.

Tuilagi was poised to make his international comeback after tearing the same hamstring in the autumn and Sanderson believes the only possible explanation for breaking down was that “it was probably just a little bit too far, a little bit too soon”.

But England are satisfied that they have got his loading right with the climax to the tournament against France a potential date for his return.

“We have a very good S&C programme here and liaise with the clubs daily. You have to prepare guys to play Test rugby and Manu was doing that,” Cockerill said.

“I don’t think we’d do anything differently. We obviously don’t want to injure players and moving forward we just have to make sure when he comes back to club and Test rugby that he is ready to go.

“Manu has a long history of injuries, especially around the hamstring, and it’s something club and country would like to get to the bottom of and solve so that he’s on the field more often.”

READ MORE: Manu Tuilagi: Sale and England to discuss management of centre after the Six Nations