Singleton: I’m ready to take my chance
WORCESTER hooker Jack Singleton aims to pile pressure on Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie as he targets a first England cap at the third time of asking.
Having toured Argentina and South Africa in 2017 and 2018 without playing a game, Dylan Hartley’s extended injury lay-off hands Singleton another chance.
After a fine season at Sixways, the 22-year-old told
The Rugby Paper: “You’d say Jamie is the market leader right now because he started the last two England Tests and has a lot of experience with Saracens and the Lions, but I’m relishing this opportunity.
“I’ve been on two end-ofseason summer tours without playing, so it’s nice to be in the thick of it again now and I’m trying to show what I can do. I’ve no idea how close I am to putting pressure on Jamie and Luke but it’s great to be competing with them.
“I’d love to get a cap during the Six Nations and I’ve been doing my best for Worcester. If that leads to anything else over this tournament, then happy days.”
Having established himself as a Premiership regular, starting 29 of Worcester last 32 league games, Singleton feels far better prepared for the next step.
He explained: “My match fitness has improved through playing and I’ve gained experience from playing in a lot of high-pressure games now. Playing in that environment helps to promote you when you’re competing regularly against the best players.
“I’ve got much better ballcarrying-wise and my set-piece has improved too – and going on those previous summer tours definitely helped me mature.
“Meeting a lot of new players was beneficial and I feel I’ve become a lot more experienced through doing that. I was only 20 when I went on that first tour to Argentina so it was a bit of an eye-opener playing alongside some very experienced players.
“You learn a lot from those experiences, though, and I feel much better equipped to take any chances that might come my way – hopefully in the Six Nations.”
A first cap for Singleton would mean further reflected glory for his former school, St George’s in Harpenden, which also spawned England colleagues Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and George Ford.
Singleton, who left the Saracens academy to join Worcester at 18, explained: “Fordy wasn’t at St George’s too long but Owen and Maro were there a while.
“I was there until year 11 and it’s a good rugby school, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see more talented players emerging from there in future.”
While England is his priority, Singleton has silverware ambitions with Worcester after they sealed a Challenge Cup home quarter-final against Harlequins.
He added: “It’s been a rollercoaster season but I’ve been here for four years in the Premiership and never played a knock-out game, so I’m delighted with that.
“We’ve had good performances followed by bad ones but our Challenge Cup campaign has been great and we’ve got a realistic chance of going all the way.”