Jack Singleton, the Gloucester Rugby hooker, is looking forward to resuming full training next month, nearly a year after suffering a heart attack. Singleton's health scare occurred during a training session in September 2025, shortly after he had participated in a Premiership Cup match as the 2025-26 season commenced.
At the age of 29, Singleton experienced symptoms such as dizziness and arm pain but did not lose consciousness, which he described as not particularly frightening. In an interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, he explained, "We’re not really sure when it started but it wasn’t like a scary moment for me, it was just a lot of symptoms or dizziness [and an] aching arm. I just felt a bit under the weather to be honest." After undergoing a series of tests, he was diagnosed with a hereditary condition that has impacted his ability to play rugby.
Singleton revealed that his father passed away from a heart attack at the age of 56, suggesting a genetic link to his own health issues. He was diagnosed with Lp(a) lipoprotein, which led to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, causing blockages in his arteries. "Luckily we can treat that and I have been treated at Gloucester Royal and at St George’s Hospital in London, but it’s a hereditary condition that we didn’t know anything about," he noted. The treatment requires medication rather than lifestyle changes, as diet and exercise do not mitigate the condition.
While instances of athletes returning to competition after cardiac incidents are more common in football, such as the cases of Christian Eriksen and Daley Blind, similar recoveries in rugby are less frequent. Singleton expressed his search for role models in elite sports who share his condition, stating, "During the last year, there was a lot of uncertainty around stuff and I probably went looking for a lot of things and didn’t really find much." However, he finds reassurance in knowing that he is under the care of the same cardiologists as high-profile athletes.
Having joined Gloucester in 2020, Singleton has made 75 appearances for the club and has earned seven caps for the England national team, with his last match for England occurring in 2022. Despite his desire to return, he faced uncertainty regarding his future at the club. Singleton acknowledged that discussions about his status for the upcoming 2026-27 season were ongoing, and Gloucester needed to make decisions about recruitment in light of his health situation.
In December, Gloucester confirmed the signing of Welsh hooker Dewi Lake, which further complicated Singleton's prospects. He stated, "The biggest thing was can I or will I be allowed?" With the support of medical professionals and a better understanding of his condition, Singleton feels optimistic about his ability to return to training and eventually play again.
Seven months after his heart attack, Singleton is nearing the end of his rehabilitation journey. He has been given a rolling contract with Gloucester to facilitate his recovery at Kingsholm during the summer. Although he will not be part of the Cherry and Whites' squad for the upcoming season, he is hopeful about finding a new team that will provide him with an opportunity to showcase his skills. "I’m not worrying about work outside of rugby or anything like that at the minute and if nothing comes up or a club doesn’t want to take the risk, I’ll cross that road when it comes to it," he said, expressing his determination to return to the sport he loves.
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