COWAN HELL

Cowan-Dickie move from Exeter to Montpellier cancelled after medical but Prem rivals Sale want England and Lions hooker

- ALEX SPINK

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE could be thrown a Premiership lifeline by Sale after reports from France that his move to Montpellier is off.

The England and Lions hooker was due to join the Top 14 outfit this summer on a two-year deal but newspaper Midi Olympique claims his medical came back inconclusive.

Cowan Dickie has undergone neck and ankle operations since he last played in January and Rob Baxter, his boss at Exeter, admits there is a nerve issue which is not possible to put a timescale on.

The Chiefs star made headlines last month when he went to Montpellier for his medical and ended up in a "drunk tank" following a boozy night out.