Cowan-Dickie delighted to be back in Chiefs mix

Luke Cowan-Dickie admitted he was delighted to mark his return to competitive action with victory over Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership.

Sidelined since November with a broken thumb sustained in the European Champions Cup clash with the Ospreys, the young Cornishman was thrown straight back into the deep end at Sixways.

Initially pencilled in to start the game on the bench, illness to club captain and fellow hooker Jack Yeandle meant Cowan-Dickie was thrust right into the action on his return.

"It was a good game to get back involved with," he said. "I was initially supposed to start on the bench, but when Yeandle became ill the coaches told me I was going to start and it went from there.

"First half it was tough and it was a bit of a dogfight because we kept letting them back into the game with a few bits of indiscipline. Second half, though, was much better and in the end we've come away with all five points and a good away win."

Tries from James Short, Ian Whitten, Thomas Waldrom and Don Armand ensured maximum reward for Rob Baxter's side, who are now bracing themselves for this Sunday's visit of Saracens to Sandy Park (1pm).

The division's top two are set to lock horns in a mouth-watering battle, which is edging ever closer to being yet another Sandy Park sell-out.

Cowan-Dickie knows the threat the visiting Londoners will pose to a Chiefs side, who themselves will be looking to defend their proud 13-month long unbeaten record.

"They're a really good side and like us they've been going well this season," added the 22-year-old forward. "It's a massive game for both side, but as always we'll do our analysis on them this week and see if there are any weaknesses in their game that we can exploit."

After coming through the Worcester game unscathed, Cowan-Dickie - with his lungs now revived following his on-field actions - will be hoping to build on last week's return to duty.

"It's good to be back," he added. "It was a long ten weeks and I definitely felt it come the end of the game. That said, we're at halfway in the season and we're now starting to get towards the business end of the season.

"Obviously we're doing well in the Premiership and we've got through to the last eight of Europe, but we'll just take each games as it comes and see where it takes us."