England Under 20s

Luke Cowan-Dickie

Key Facts

Squad	Exeter Chiefs
Position	Prop
Age	19
Height	1.84m (6'0")
Weight	112kg (17st 8lb)
Caps	U20: 16

Playing off the bench in the 30-28 win over Australia U18 at Sale in December 2009 was the forerunner of a first start at prop, at the age of 16, for Luke Cowan-Dickie in the 33-16 defeat of France at Newbury the following March.

He played 11 times at that level including all three matches in South Africa in the summer of 2010, the Ireland game at Donnybrook in December that year and the tour matches against Australia Academy U19 and Australia A Schools in August 2011. He scored tries against Italy and Australia Academy.

Luke had first appeared for England U20 earlier in that year, coming off the bench for Mako Vunipola after 65 minutes in England's 73-3 demotion of Italy at Bath's Recreation Ground. The win helped Rob Hunter's side towards a U20 Six Nations Grand Slam win for the first time since 2008.

His starting debut was in the opening match of the 2012 tournament when Scotland were beaten 59-3 at Firhill, Glasgow before he scored one of England’s six tries in the 40-9 defeat of Wales. He also wore the No. 1 jersey against Italy and France and played off the bench against Ireland when the squad clinched the Six Nations title.

Luke went on to appear in all ten matches at that level in 2011-12 and started every game – three as a prop and two at hooker – in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations, winning man of the match awards against Italy and Wales, when England clinched the title at Colwyn Bay.

Truro born and a member of the Exeter Chiefs Academy, Luke studied Sports Performance & Excellence at Truro College, having previously attended Mount’s Bay School and has been on loan to Plymouth Albion.

He began playing when six with Penzance & Newlyn, remained there for eight years and already has captaincy experience with teams at school, at the Pirates and at Truro College, as well as Cornwall U16. Former England prop Robin Cowling, Ricky Pellow and Rob Gibson, of Exeter Academy, are the latest coaches to have an influence on his burgeoning playing career.

Their predecessors were initially Nicky Brooks and Pete Lugg at the Pirates and Mak Churcher, Josh Lord, Gareth Tedstone and Will Davies at Truro College. Luke has won player of the year awards with the Pirates, represented Cornwall at age group football and enjoys swimming and Xbox.

Back on the field, his memorable matches include that for England U16 against Wales and the player he most admires is, not surprisingly, a Cornish born prop, Phil Vickery.

Sandy Park, the home of the Chiefs, is his favourite rugby arena and he played at Number 8 until U16 level before switching to prop.