Asher Opoku-Fordjour

Asher Opoku-Fordjour

Date of birth	(2004-07-16) 16 July 2004 (age 19) [1]
Place of birth	Coventry, England
Height	181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	115 kg (18 st 2 lb) [2]
School	City of Oxford College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop Current team Sale Sharks Youth career Worcester Warriors Kenilworth RFC Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 0000-2022 Wasps () 2022- Sale Sharks () 2022-23 → Stourbridge (loan) () 2022-23 → Sedgley Tigers (loan) () Correct as of 9 December 2023 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2023 England U20

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

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]}

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]

International career

Opoku-Fordjour is an English U20 international and played at the U20 Rugby World Cup in 2023. ^[11] Opoku-Fordjour won the 2024 U20 Six Nations Championship with England, starting all five games in the front row. ^[12]

Personal life

Opoku-Fordjour has Ghanaian heritage with family living in Accra. ^[13]

References

1. "A. Opoku-Fordjour". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
2. "A.Opoku-Fordjour" . Retrieved 15 December 2023.
3. "Opoku-Fordjour eyeing up Under-20 World Cup target". Chardandilminsteenews. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
4. Schofield, Daniel (15 December 2023). "'As rare as teddy bear s---': Asher Opoku-Fordjour is English rugby's new prop sensation". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
5. Savage, Angus (27 April 2023). "England U19: Alan Dickens names Men's side to face Italy - Bedford Blues host U19 International on Friday Night". Nextgenxv.com. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
6. "Sale Sharks sign two Wasps stars with immediate effect". Ruck.co.uk. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
7. Heal, Chris (7 July 2023). "Asher Opoku-Fordjour Interview: The dynamic prop who is impressing at the World U20s". Talking Rugby Union. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
8. Westerby, John (3 November 2023). "Prop idols: Meet the youngsters who can rebuild England's scrum". The Times. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
9. Heagney, Liam (1 December 2023). "The massive compliment Joe Marler paid to a teenage Sale tighthead". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
10. "Congratulations to our two #15Under23 #MVP's for November..." X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 11 January 2024.
11. Francis, Nick (26 June 2023). "Runaway England prop obliterates half the Ireland team at World Championship". Rugbyonslaught.com. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
12. undefined, undefined (15 March 2024). "England U20s champions after stunning win in France - U6N Landing Page". www.sixnationsrugby.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
13. Lyall, Jamie (11 January 2024). "Asher Opoku-Fordjour: 'Sale, England, the Lions... I want to do it all'". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 11 January 2024.