Gloucester lose England international for an ‘extended period’ due to cardiac issue
Jack Singleton on England duty (inset) and in action for Gloucester.
England hooker Jack Singleton is set to spend a considerable time on the sidelines after Gloucester confirmed via an official medical update that he is battling a heart issue.
Gloucester’s medical head, Rhys Hughes, issued an update on the Prem outfit’s official website regarding the fitness of 16 players who are currently unavailable for action but the news on Singleton is the most concerning.
Ruled out ‘for an extended period’
“Gloucester Rugby can sadly confirm that hooker Jack Singleton will not feature for an extended period of time,” read the statement.
“Following a cardiac event in September, Jack has been undergoing a comprehensive period of medical testing in consultation with cardiac specialists.”
Singleton has been part of the Cherry and Whites‘ set-up since 2020 when he joined them from Saracens.
The 29-year-old started his career as part of the Saracens academy before leaving the North London outfit to join Worcester Warriors ahead of the 2014/15 season where he made his first team breakthrough.
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He returned to Saracens ahead of the 2019/20 Premiership campaign but only spent one season at the club before joining Gloucester and has made 75 appearances for the Kingsholm-based club to date.
Represented England at 2019 Rugby World Cup
Singleton earned the first of his four England caps in the home and away 2019 Rugby World Cup warm up Tests against Wales, and appeared as a replacement during pool match against the USA in Kobe that year.
He was in the Cherry and Whites’ starting line-up for their opening Prem Rugby Cup game at home to Exeter Chiefs in September but has not featured in any of their Prem matches this season.
Gloucester currently occupy eighth position in the standings after losing their first two Premiership matches against Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints.
Although they were soundly beaten by Sale, the Cherry and Whites showed considerable improvement in their second game against Northampton and they were rewarded with two bonus points in that clash.
They are in action against the champions Bath in Saturday’s late game at the Rec.