England will be without Luke Cowan-Dickie for the remainder of the Six Nations after the hooker sustained a “significant” knee ligament injury during the Test match against Wales.

Cowan-Dickie could potentially be ruled out for the rest of the season after being injured during the first half of England’s 23-19 win over Wales in the third round of the Six Nations.

The Exeter Chiefs will definitely miss England’s final two crucial fixtures against Ireland and France, who are in second and first place on the table, respectively.

Cowan-Dickie will undergo surgery on his knee next week and will be targeting a return to action for England’s tour to Australia in July.

The 28-year-old has been England’s first-choice hooker in the Six Nations this year. In his absence, Jamie George will be expected to take up the starting hooker duties.

“It’s a pretty significant injury,” Rob Baxter, Exeter Chiefs director of rugby, said. “It’s knee ligament and a bit of cartilage damage.

“There’s further assessment going on but he’s definitely going to be out for a significant period of time, possibly the rest of the season.”

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