LUKE SURE

Cowan-Dickie storms in to make case for Test start

- ADAM HATHAWAY

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE has had his final audition for Saturday’s first Test against the Springboks but claims he will take it on the chin if he is in the stalls when the curtain goes up.

The Exeter hooker did everything he could to be there for the big show by producing a man-of-the-match performance for the British & Irish Lions in this win.

The 28-year-old’s problem is the No.2 and No.16 jerseys are among the most hotly contested as the countdown continues for the clash with South Africa in Cape Town.

It is not the only selection headache head coach Warren Gatland had when he met his assistants yesterday to map out the squad for the Test.

Jamie George, CowanDickie’s England rival, is the man in possession having started all three Tests in New Zealand in 2017 where Wales’ Ken Owens, another current tourist, was his deputy in the internationals.

Cowan-Dickie’s lineout accuracy, physicality, and ability to win turnovers were all on the show before the retired with a minor dead leg after 48 minutes.