England vs Australia: Luke Cowan-Dickie talks about the possibility of winning the 50th match

“I didn’t really have a 50th in mind when I came back to play. I didn’t think playing for England would be a big deal again.

“For that to happen this fall, it’s going to be very difficult trying not to let it affect me.

“There were a few times with the specialist when we didn’t know if playing would be the right thing.

“But I stuck with it because rugby is a big part of my life. I was desperate to get back into the game.”

Cowan-Dickie won the Premier League and Champions Cup with Exeter, but revived his career at Sale after a proposed last-minute move to France fell through.

He returned to England last autumn and his form in the Six Nations helped him secure a place on the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia, although a head injury ruled him out of the first Test.

“I signed for Sale when I was probably at my worst with my shoulder, but they got me back into running,” he said.

“I didn’t play great, but my level reached the point where I returned to international competition.

“From there, it became more about getting back into the game and taking it all in rather than thinking about playing the 50th game.”

Cowan-Dickie made his England debut in 2015, just months before his 102-cap teammate Jamie George.

Cowan-Dickie said winning the 2016 Grand Slam title, being part of the team that reached the 2019 World Cup final and memorably knocking out defending champions New Zealand in the semi-finals were standout moments in his England career.

“I was lucky enough to play in the last two Grand Slam matches in 2016,” he said.

“There’s a picture of me and Jack Noel with the Cornish flag. That definitely stuck with me.

“Even though we didn’t win it, the 2019 World Cup and the whole experience with the group – the time we spent together and some of the performances, especially in the semi-final – also stands out.”