Luke Cowan-Dickie: England and Sale hooker agrees new one-year contract with Sharks

Luke Cowan-Dickie has won 41 England caps, the last of which was in November 2022

England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has signed a new one-year contract with Sale Sharks.

Cowan-Dickie, 31, initially signed a one-year deal last summer after a move to Montpellier in France fell through, but he has now penned an extension.

The former Exeter Chiefs player has played 10 games for Sale and was part of England's squad for the Six Nations.

"The plan was always to try and stay longer if I could and I'm so happy that it's all sorted," he said.

He told the club's website: "I feel I owe the club because they took a shot on me, and then looked after me when I was injured.

"I don't feel like I've performed as well as I can yet in a Sale shirt so I'm determined to show everyone what I can do."

Cowan-Dickie did not play for 10 months between January and November last year after an ankle injury and then surgery on his neck ruled him out of the World Cup in France.

But the British and Irish Lions player is now recovered and Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson holds him in high regard.

"Luke is not showing any signs of slowing down in his strive to continuously improve," said Sanderson.

"Mark my words, the best of Luke Cowan Dickie is yet to come."

Sale are eighth in the Premiership, eight points adrift of the play-offs as they welcome Cowan-Dickie's old club Exeter on Sunday (15:00 BST).