Asher Opoku-Fordjour Explained

Asher Opoku-Fordjour (born 16 July 2004) is an English rugby union player who plays as a prop forward for Sale Sharks and the England national rugby union team.

Early life

Born in Coventry, the youngest of four brothers, he moved when he was 16 years old to Oxford, where he attended City of Oxford College. Opoku-Fordjour had started playing rugby union at 10 years of age for Broadstreet Rugby Club and initially played on the wing, before moving to flanker, hooker, and then prop. He was let go from the Worcester Warriors academy in his teens.^{[3] [4] [5]}

Club career

Opoku-Fordjour played rugby for Kenilworth RFC in Warwickshire and played for the academy side of Wasps RFC. However, after Wasps disbanded due to financial reasons, he joined Sale Sharks in November 2022.^[6] He played on loan in the National Rugby League with both Stourbridge and Sedgley Tigers during the 2022–23 season.^[7] He made his debut for Sale in the Premiership Rugby Cup at the start of the 2023–24 season.^[8] He made his Rugby Premiership debut for Sale against Newcastle Falcons on 17 November 2023.^[9]

Opoku-Fordjour was voted the RPA's 15 under 23 MVP of the month for December 2023.^[10]

In December 2024, he scored his first try for his club in the Premiership finding a gap next to a ruck to score under the posts against Leicester Tigers as Sale went on to win 39-25.^[11]

International career

Opoku-Fordjour is an English U20 international and played at the U20 Rugby World Cup in 2023.^[12] Opoku-Fordjour won the 2024 U20 Six Nations Championship with England, starting all five games in the front row.^[13] He was part of the England U20 side that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.^{[14] [15]} In November 2024, he was called-up to the England A national rugby union team. He made his debut for England A on the 17th November 2024 against the Australia A at the Twickenham Stoop.^[16] He was also added to the senior England team in the same month.^[17] He was named amongst the replacements for the England Autumn international against Japan on 24 November 2024, and made his international debut by coming on as a substitute in the 55th minute.^{[18] [19]}

Personal life

Opoku-Fordjour has Ghanaian heritage with family living in Accra.^[20]

Notes and References

1. Web site: A. Opoku-Fordjour. 15 December 2023. Ultimate Rugby.
2. Web site: A.Opoku-Fordjour. 15 December 2023.
3. Web site: Opoku-Fordjour eyeing up Under-20 World Cup target. Chardandilminsteenews. 15 December 2023. 23 March 2023.
4. Web site: The Daily Telegraph. 15 December 2023. ‘As rare as teddy bear s---’: Asher Opoku-Fordjour is English rugby’s new prop sensation. Daniel. Schofield. 15 December 2023.
5. Web site: England U19: Alan Dickens names Men’s side to face Italy - Bedford Blues host U19 International on Friday Night. Nextgenxv.com. 15 December 2023. Angus. Savage. 27 April 2023.
6. Web site: Sale Sharks sign two Wasps stars with immediate effect. Ruck.co.uk. 15 December 2023. 17 November 2022.
7. Web site: Asher Opoku-Fordjour Interview: The dynamic prop who is impressing at the World U20s. Talking Rugby Union. 15 December 2023. Chris. Heal. 7 July 2023.
8. Web site: The Times. 15 December 2023. John. Westerby. 3 November 2023. Prop idols: Meet the youngsters who can rebuild England’s scrum .
9. Web site: The massive compliment Joe Marler paid to a teenage Sale tighthead. 15 December 2023. Rugby Pass. 1 December 2023. Liam. Heagney.
10. Web site: Congratulations to our two #15Under23 #MVP's for November... . 2024-01-11 . X (formerly Twitter) . en.
11. Web site: Sale second-half power show sinks Leicester . BBC Sport . 1 December 2024.
12. Web site: Runaway England prop obliterates half the Ireland team at World Championship. Rugbyonslaught.com. 15 December 2023. Nick. Francis. 26 June 2023.
13. Web site: undefined . undefined . 2024-03-15 . England U20s champions after stunning win in France - U6N Landing Page . 2024-03-20 . www.sixnationsrugby.com . en.
14. Web site: England dominate France to claim fourth World Rugby under-20 title. The Guardian. 20 July 2024. Gerard. Meagher. 19 July 2024.
15. Web site: 19 July 2024. England overpower France to win Under-20 World Cup. BBC Sport. 20 July 2024.
16. Web site: Gabriel Ibitoye called up to England A squad for Australia fixture. The Daily Telegraph. 7 November 2024. Charlie. Morgan. 6 November 2024.
17. News: England call up Opoku-Fordjour in 36-player squad. . 3 November 2024 . 12 November 2024.
18. Web site: Prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour set to make England bow against Japan. The Guardian. 22 November 2024. 21 November 2024.
19. Web site: Nine-try England thrash Japan 59-14 to end losing run - reaction . BBC Sport . 24 November 2024.
20. Web site: Asher Opoku-Fordjour: 'Sale, England, the Lions... I want to do it all'. Rugby Pass. 11 January 2024. 11 January 2024 . Jamie . Lyall .