Luke Cowan-Dickie: England hooker’s move to Montpellier off after drunken night out – report

Colin Newboult
Luke Cowan-Dickie

Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie will not be swapping Exeter Chiefs for Montpellier after missing a medical following a night out on the lash, according to reports in the French media.

The 29-year-old has already signed a contract with the French club but his move was thrown into doubt due to medical issues.

Cowan-Dickie is currently out injured due to an ankle problem but also has a longstanding neck issue which could make him ineligible to play in the Top 14.

Top 14 threshold

Although the Englishman meets the threshold to ply his trade in the Premiership, it is higher for those in France.

According to RMC Sport, the Red Rose hooker was in Montpellier for a medical but did not turn up for the second day of tests due to being hungover.

He apparently went out in Montpellier and got so intoxicated that he finished his evening in a ‘drunk tank’.

RMC claim that the French outfit are now looking to cancel his pre-contract, leaving Cowan-Dickie’s future in severe doubt as he will be without a deal for the 2023/24 campaign.

He was meant to be the second Exeter and England player to play for Montpellier next season with number eight Sam Simmonds also joining the club.

Montpellier not commenting

RMC Sport’s report read: “Two days of examinations which were to allow the medical staff of Montpelier to remove the last doubts and validate the big blow on the transfer market of the MHR which had already recorded the arrival of Sam Simmonds, number eight of Exeter.

“But Wednesday morning, Cowan-Dickie did not show up for the appointment where everyone was expecting him.

“The night before, he had gone out to Montpellier bars and had finished his evening in a drunk tank.

“Faced with these actions, the club is now seeking to break the pre-contract signed by the English hooker.

“The MHR director of rugby Philippe Saint-André did not want to comment on this case.”

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