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Toulon statement: The immediate effect signing of Jack Singleton
By Liam Heagney
French title chasers Toulon have snapped up the services of Jack Singleton, the England and Gloucester hooker, for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.
Despite signing a contract extension with Gloucester last May, the three-cap hooker hasn’t been able to force his way back into George Skivington’s selection plans following last year's serious leg injury that required surgery.
Singleton made his first appearance of the season off the bench last month in Gloucester’s home Gallagher Premiership hammering by Saracens and he then started the following week’s loss at Sale. However, he hasn’t made the cut since then and Skivington has now agreed to loan the hooker to Toulon for the rest of the current season.
A statement read: “Rugby Club Toulonnais are delighted to announce the signing of Jack Singleton as a medical joker, strengthening its ranks at hooker for the remainder of the season. The arrival of the England international makes up for the various absences.
“Jack has forged his reputation through his performances across the Channel, including Worcester, Saracens and Gloucester, leading him to the XV of the Rose. Thus, the England international brings with him his international experience, but also his rugby and athletic qualities. Known for his power and agility, the English hooker shows versatility in different game situations.
“Jack could make his first appearance as early as Saturday at the Stade Mayol for the round nine Top 14 match against Section Paloise.”
Toulon sporting director Laurent Emmanuelli said: "Jack has a very good playing technique, in scrum, lineout and as a tackler. His precision and composure are undeniable assets in this position. Beyond his intrinsic qualities, he can easily demonstrate leadership on the field.”
A Gloucester statement added: “Jack Singleton will head to the Mediterranean coast with immediate effect, returning to the Cherry and Whites ahead of the 2024/25 season.
“The 27-year-old hooker makes his way to France following a difficult year for him, having suffered a significant leg injury playing against Northampton Saints last season. He has spent the best part of 12 months diligently rehabbing with the Gloucester medical team.
“Jack has worked incredibly hard to return to full fitness following a nasty injury last season,” said Gloucester boss Skivington. “When this opening came up, we felt that it would be a good opportunity for Jack to get some regular rugby under his belt to help him get back to the levels we saw from him before his injury.
“With the injuries we had last season at hooker, we obviously brought in George McGuigan to support Santi Socino, and then we had Seb Blake impressively step up from the academy, so we feel that hooker remains a strong position for us. We wish Jack all the best in Toulon and we are looking forward to having him back with us in the summer.”
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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