The England international is a huge addition for Sale ahead of their 2023/24 Champions Cup campaign, which sees them face off against Stade Rochelais, Stade Francais Paris, Leicester Tigers and Leinster Rugby in Pool 4.

Cowan-Dickie departs Exeter having played 165 times for the Sandy Park club, making 38 appearances in EPCR competitions and scoring 11 tries.

The British & Irish Lion featured in all nine of Exeter’s Heineken Champions Cup games in their triumphant 2019/20 campaign and crossed three times, including the opening try in the final against Racing 92.

Cowan-Dickie joins up with former teammates Jonny Hill and Tom O’Flaherty at Sale, who also lifted the Heineken Champions Cup with Exeter in 2020.

“I’ve been at the same club for 13 years and I felt it was time for a change,” he told Sale’s website. “This is the perfect move for me and I can’t wait to get started.

“I know Jonny and Tom from Exeter and they have raved about this club since they came up here. They have told me how good the environment, the lads and the coaching team are so it was an easy decision.

“It’s been a long journey trying to get fit and not knowing where I’d be playing but I can already see myself being here for a long time.

“This team reached the final last year and speaking to the boys here, they all want to go one better. I want to win and I’m confident we can have a successful year.”

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson added: “Luke is a fantastic player and we feel really fortunate and happy to have secured him for the foreseeable future.

“Already it feels like a good match for him and for us, with the type of team we want to be on and off the pitch.

“To be able to bring in an England international and a British and Irish Lion to a squad that’s already as good as this one is really exciting. We’re all looking forward to working with someone who’ll bring new ideas.

“Last year was brilliant but we are always looking to improve. The worst thing would be to say ‘nothing changes’ because we did well last year.

“We have to keep improving and a big part of that is bringing in top quality players like Luke.”

Sale Sharks have confirmed the signing of hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who won the Heineken Champions Cup with Exeter Chiefs in 2020.