Junior Kpoku

Junior Kpoku

Born	(2005-09-10) 10 September 2005 (age 20) [1]
Height	2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) [2]
Weight	119 kg (18 st 10 lb; 262 lb)
School	Finborough School
Notable relative(s)	Joel Kpoku Jonathan Kpoku
Rugby union career
Position Lock Current team Racing 92 Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2024- Racing 92 27 (0) 2026 → (loan) Toulon 0 (0) Correct as of 16 January 2026 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2022– England U20 16 (0) Correct as of 16 January 2026

Junior Kpoku (born 10 September 2005) is an English rugby union player who plays for Top 14 club Toulon on loan from Racing 92. He has played for the England national under-20 rugby union team. ^[3]

Early life

He attended Finborough School near Stowmarket, with whom he reached the National U18s Cup semi-final in 2023. And he also attended Ashmole Academy in Southgate in north London. ^[4]

Career

Kpoku was a member of the Saracens academy. ^[5] He signed with Exeter Chiefs in August 2023. ^[6] However, He signed with Racing 92 in October 2023 only a couple of months after having joined Exeter Chiefs due to family reasons. ^[7] He made his Top 14 debut in the Paris derby against Stade Francais in February 2024. ^{[8] [9]}

In January 2026, signed for Toulon on loan until the end of the 2025–26 season. ^[10]

International career

He was a member of the England national under-20 rugby union team which won the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. ^{[11] [12] [13]} He was also part of the England U20 side that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa. ^{[14] [15]}

In June 2025, he was named in the England U20 squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship. ^[16]

Personal life

His parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the younger brother of rugby players Jonathan Kpoku and Joel Kpoku. ^[9]

References

1. "J.Kpoku". itsrugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
2. "J.Kpoku". All.Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
3. "Midol Exclusive. Transfers / Top 14: Junior Kpoku (Racing 92) joins Toulon with immediate effect". Midi Olympique. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
4. Cann, Tom (6 August 2023). "Four Finborough School students sign Exeter Chiefs contract". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
5. Heagney, Liam (17 December 2022). "'I don't speak to anyone at Saracens… they didn't make the effort'". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
6. ""Exciting talent" – Exeter Chiefs confirm four new signings". Ruck. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
7. Evely, John (24 October 2023). "Giant forward leaves Exeter Chiefs for French Top 14". Devon Live. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
8. "Top 14: Max Spring in the fray for the derby between Racing 92 and Stade Français". le figaro. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
9. Morgan, Charlie (6 March 2024). "Youngest Kpoku brother plays for England U20s – but may have been lost to France already". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
10. "Midol Exclusive. Transfers / Top 14: Junior Kpoku (Racing 92) joins Toulon with immediate effect". Midi Olympique. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
11. "Under-20 Six Nations: England come from behind to beat France and clinch title". BBC Sport. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
12. Kelleher, Will (14 March 2024). "'They're all freaks' – the England pack driving towards Under-20 title". The Times. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
13. Heagney, Liam (25 January 2024). "England U20s explain their selection of Paris-based Junior Kpoku". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
14. Meagher, Gerard (19 July 2024). "England dominate France to claim fourth World Rugby under-20 title". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
15. "England overpower France to win Under-20 World Cup". BBC Sport. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
16. Raisey, Josh (19 June 2025). "England name squad for U20 world title defence with 8 champions returning". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 25 June 2025.