'They don't call me the cockroach for no reason!'

LUKE'S 'STUCK AROUND' TO REACH ENGLAND MILESTONE

- BY ADAM HATHAWAY

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE joins the 50-cap club on Saturday - but the hooker admits he thought he would never make it after his injury hell.

Cowan-Dickie was out for 16 months with nerve damage to his shoulder and biceps that left him unable to lift weights and fearing for his future in the game.

The 32-year-old recovered to win back aplace in the autumn internationals last year, and go on the British & Irish Lions tour this summer, but his 50 England caps have been a decade in the making.

He made his debut in a World Cup warm-up against France in 2015, and will finally get to the mark against Australia this weekend after fearing he would fall short.

Cowan-Dickie said: ‘A couple of years ago I didn’t think I would be here again. I got back playing Prem, and for me that was brilliant as I was back playing rugby.