PREM Rugby: Luke Cowan-Dickie reflects on try-scoring return in Sale Sharks win over Newcastle Red Bulls - 'I feel a lot better'

After disappointment following injury ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia during the summer, Sale Sharks and England star Luke Cowan-Dickie feels he is now an improved player. Cowan-Dickie made a try-scoring return for his club in their Derby Weekend victory over Newcastle Red Bulls and said he has "lost a bit of weight over the summer" and "feels a lot better than last year".

Luke Cowan-Dickie believes he is an improved player following the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia and admitted he "feels a lot better" than he did this time last year.

The England star scored on his club return, as Sale Sharks overcame Newcastle Red Bulls 57-5 in the Derby Weekend opener, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"I think so," Cowan-Dickie said, when asked if his form and fitness since the Lions series earlier this year had progressed after he sustained a serious neck injury.

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"Obviously, with my neck injury and my arm being so weak, it's sort of back to normal now and yeah, I feel a lot better than I did last year," he told TNT Sports.

"Hopefully I can improve that."

The 32-year-old sustained a concussion in the Lions' encounter against the AUNZ Invitational XV, which occurred following a collision during a tackle.

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But after enjoying his first game back for Sale, he was in good spirits and said: "[This was my] first game back in a while, I thought I was going to be way more unfit than I was, but I lost a bit of weight in the summer, so I felt quite good!

"It's actually worse not being able to play, so I've been training the last two weeks, obviously missed the first two games and it's been pretty s*** to be honest.

"It was nice to get a good run tonight and I was glad I started, so it gave me some good minutes under my belt."

Highlights: Nine-try Sale thump Newcastle to claim northern bragging rights

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hoping to sustain his good form, Cowan-Dickie is aiming to bring up a half-century of England caps during the Quilter Nations Series, which begins on November 1 and is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

England welcome Australia in their opener before taking on Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina in what promises to be a thrilling line-up of Tests for Steve Borthwick's side.

"Hopefully I can get my 50th [cap]," Cowan-Dickie added. "Stay fit, stay performing well and get selected, that will be nice."

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