Confidence is high in Albion squad, says Cowan-Dickie

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE said he could sense the renewed confidence among the Plymouth Albion squad when he returned to the side for Friday's match against Rotherham.

The England Under-20 prop was making his first appearance of the season against the Titans having missed the opening few games with injury.

Ironically, his first game for the club had come against Rotherham mid-way through last season when Albion were in crisis.

The club have sorted out their off-the-field problems that dogged them last season and the team have responded by winning four out of five of their opening league matches this term.

And Cowan-Dickie, dual registered from Exeter Chiefs, admitted it was nice coming into a winning team.

"It was awesome to be back," said Cowan-Dickie. "It was especially good to come back in when we are winning and morale is high."

On the injury that kept him out of Albion opening four matches, Cowan-Dickie said: "I injured my toe. It was not the worst injury, but it was one of those niggling injuries that as a prop you don't really want.

"It was quite lucky it was not really a long injury.

"But to get back and to play straight away, I couldn't ask for any more."

Cowan-Dickie feels the Albion players are now really believing in themselves after finding a way to turn narrow defeats into wins.

"The way the boys were in the changing room (on Friday) and how they came on to the pitch to warm-up, you could tell there was a real buzz.

"It looks like we really want to win. There is a real confidence there. Everyone is on a high. And you could see that out on the pitch."

Cowan-Dickie is looking to really establish himself at Brickfields this term after impressing for England Under-20s at the Junior World Cup.

Last year he made just two starts and five replacement appearances in the Championship for Albion.

He said: "Hopefully, I will keep starting and getting to play for Plymouth. That is pretty much my main goal this year.

"That and hopefully to get a call-up every now and then for an LV= Cup game for Exeter."

The Cornish youngster admitted playing at the Junior World Cup was a boost to him going into this season.

"It was an awesome experience and hopefully I will get the same experience this year," he said.

"It is always good to play in a World Cup. It also gives you more games in the off-season.

"I prefer to play than doing a pre-season. The more games you have played during a season the less work you have to do to get back up to match fitness."

Cowan-Dickie has been joined at Albion this season by his older brother Tom, who is also dual-registered from Exeter Chiefs.

The pair found themselves packing down in Albion's front-row in the last few minutes of Friday's match at Rotherham.

"We have played together in a couple of games before, like A League games, but that was the first league game I had played with him," he said.

"Hopefully, there will be a few more times."

He added: "It is really good to have him here. He has only played hooker the last couple of years, but he has come on really well.

"His throwing has improved this year and it is good to have someone there that you really know."