Singleton aiming to claim a place on England jet
WORCESTER hooker Jack Singleton aims to cap a stellar Premiership campaign by forcing his way into England’s squad for June’s tour of South Africa.
Singleton, 22, was twice an unused replacement on last year’s trip to Argentina – an experience he describes as “surreal” after a handful of top-flight appearances.
However, with a full season of Premiership rugby now behind him and having had the opportunity of testing himself against a host of other candidates for England’s No.2 jersey, the Hertfordshire-bred set-piece specialist is ready for another crack. Singleton told The Rugby
Paper: “I’d only made my Premiership debut against Northampton at the end of 2016 so I didn’t have an inkling of any England involvement until two weeks before the end of last season.
“It had all happened pretty quickly with Worcester but then on my 21st birthday last May I got a call to go to an England training camp in Brighton, and next thing I knew I was starting against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
“I thought my season was done after that, but then Luke Cowan-Dickie got injured and I ended up getting the call to go to Argentina. I didn’t get capped but it was a surreal experience and I learnt a hell of a lot from training alongside Dylan Hartley.
“The biggest thing was the training standards you have to achieve and the professionalism of the players, but it’s stood me in great stead and I’ve been able to put myself out there much more this season.”
Singleton added: “Last year I was just trying to survive, whereas this year I’ve been more involved and it’s nice to have the confidence of the coaches who’ve been picking me.
“It’s been a rollercoaster season for Worcester but personally I’ve enjoyed it and I’d love another chance to get on tour.
“I haven’t got a clue about South Africa yet but I’ll just try and finish the season at Warriors well and see what happens.
“There’s a lot of competition for England places and the standard of hookers is very high, but it’s been great to be competing against the best in guys like Jamie George, Dylan, CowanDickie, Tom Dunn and Tommy Taylor and trying to stake a claim.”
Singleton has an extra incentive to make the most of his opportunities, having suffered the pain of rejection by Saracens earlier in his fledgling career.
He explained: “I played junior rugby at Harpenden RFC and used to be in the Saracens U18s, but I wasn’t signed on by them which was disappointing.
“I was lucky, though, because Rory Teague, who was at Saracens, got in touch with Sam Vesty at Worcester and suggested they should have a look at me. Things have gone well from there and it was pretty special beating Saracens last season.”
Whatever his England prospects, Singleton is convinced Worcester is a place he can progress. “Definitely,” he say. “If we can nail down some consistent performances and start next season a bit better, there’s no reason this club can’t succeed.”