England: Luke Cowan-Dickie on neck surgery, heart problems and Call of Duty

Cowan-Dickie should never have been at Sale in the first place, having signed a deal to join Montpellier in the summer of 2023. But that move broke down after the French club cancelled his contract, citing concerns over his fitness.

There were also reports of an alcohol-fuelled incident while having his medical in France, something Cowan-Dickie puts down to a “misunderstanding”.

The move to Sale kept alive his England career. Lifestyle-wise, though, things had to change.

Cowan-Dickie was a renowned gamer, once topping global leaderboards in Call of Duty. But those 10-hour gaming sessions had to go.

“I’m a very addictive person in most things I do, so when I game, I game for ridiculous hours,” he explained.

“I was number one in the world at Hardcore Search and Destroy. That was back in the time I was injured with my knee and was playing 10 hours a day.

“When I was younger, it was fine, but now I am getting a bit older, routine-wise it just wasn’t good for me. I would game until the stupid hours.

“I would go to bed late, wake up just about on time, not train very well. And I would be tired. So I got into a better routine in the off-season, and my arm has come back, so that might have helped.

“My mind is just better, I just think clearer and am not as erratic in everyday life.”

Alcohol, too, has bitten the dust.

“I haven’t drunk in about four and half, five months,” he said. “I normally have a nice cold beer after the game in the changing room. Now it’s a nice cold coke.

“It’s erratic and I don’t like how I feel after it, so in terms of everyday mood and mental health, I just feel happier.”

Physically and mentally, Cowan-Dickie feels he is in as good a place as ever. At the age of 31, there might yet be time to rediscover the form that made him a world-beater.

With captain Jamie George and up-and-comer Theo Dan commandeering the number two jersey of late, he faces a battle to force his way into the 23-man squad.

But when Cowan-Dickie says he is just thankful to be in the squad again, you definitely believe him.

“I feel like I am back more like myself,” he added.

“I haven’t really been performing for a long time, so I feel like I am improving game to game and I definitely feel like there is more to come. I am excited.”