Salelose to finalising a deal for England star Luke Cowan-Dickie

Sale hope to reinforce their squad for another title challenge next season as the North West club are understood to be close to finalising a deal to sign England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.

The addition of another Lion to their pack would be a significant boost for the beaten Premiership finalists, after a malfunctioning lineout contributed to their defeat against Saracens. If the deal goes through, it would also represent a significant boost for national coach Steve Borthwick, as it would ensure Cowan-Dickie remains eligible for Test selection after this year’s World Cup.

Sources have told Mail Sport that the 29-year-old – who is enduring a slow, frustrating recovery from neck surgery – has already passed one medical at Sale and if passes a second, he will follow Jonny Hill and Tom O’Flaherty in moving from Exeter to the Sharks. He is also reportedly a target for Stade Francais, but Sale are confident that he will opt to join them.

Cowan-Dickie was supposed to become a Montpellier player this summer, along with another decorated stalwart of the Chiefs’ golden era, Sam Simmonds. However, amid on-going concerns about his neck trouble, the Cornishman ended up in a ‘drunk tank’ on his visit to the French city for a medical and the reigning Top 14 champions subsequently withdrew their contract offer.

At a time when most clubs have already completed their recruitment – and the market is saturated after the collapse of Worcester and Wasps – Cowan-Dickie was in a worrying state of limbo. But Sale were left with a hooker vacancy due to Ewan Ashman’s decision to move north of the border to join Edinburgh, so the veteran of 41 Red Rose caps is set to add his clout to a powerful Sharks pack.

The side missed out on the Premiership final after losing to Saracens on Saturday

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson has suggested Sale’s year is ‘the start of an era’

First, though, he will seek to complete his return to full fitness in time to take part in England’s pre-World Cup training camp – although his prospects of doing so are unclear. 

If Cowan-Dickie is able to reach peak condition in the coming months, he will surely vie with Jamie George to be the country’s starting No 2 at the global showpiece. If he is unable to recover in time, Saracens rookie Theo Dan has emerged as a rising star who could force his way into contention.

Meanwhile, Sale will re-group after their 35-25 defeat in the final, confident in the belief that they can become a domestic force under Alex Sanderson, who said: ‘We’ve just had a few conversations about feeling that we’ll be here again. We’ll build on this season and just get better. 

‘We’re a young side for the most part and we’ve found our feet in big games. It’s a crushing feeling right now but there’s also pride – and excitement about what we can build on.’ Jono Ross, Sale’s retiring captain, added: ‘We’ve grown, we’ve improved and I think it’s the start of an era. I don’t see why this group can’t be fighting for titles year-in, year-out.’