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| Date of birth | 10 September 2005[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Junior Kpoku (born 10 September 2005) is an English rugby union player who plays for Racing 92 and the England national under-20 rugby union team.
Early life
[edit]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.[3]
Career
[edit]Kpoku was a member of the Saracens academy.[4] He signed with Exeter Chiefs in August 2023.[5] However, He signed with Racing 92 in October 2023 only a couple of months after having joined Exeter Chiefs due to family reasons.[6] He made his Top 14 debut in the Paris derby against Stade Francais in February 2024.[7][8]
International career
[edit]He was a member of the England national under-20 rugby union team which won the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[9][10][11] He was also part of the England U20 side that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.[12][13]
Personal life
[edit]His parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the younger brother of rugby players Jonathan Kpoku and Joel Kpoku.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "J.Kpoku". itsrugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "J.Kpoku". All.Rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Cann, Tom (6 August 2023). "Four Finborough School students sign Exeter Chiefs contract". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ ""Exciting talent" – Exeter Chiefs confirm four new signings". Ruck. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Evely, John (24 October 2023). "Giant forward leaves Exeter Chiefs for French Top 14". Devon Live. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Under-20 Six Nations: England come from behind to beat France and clinch title". BBC Sport. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Kelleher, Will (14 March 2024). "'They're all freaks' – the England pack driving towards Under-20 title". The Times. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Heagney, Liam (25 January 2024). "England U20s explain their selection of Paris-based Junior Kpoku". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Meagher, Gerard (19 July 2024). "England dominate France to claim fourth World Rugby under-20 title". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "England overpower France to win Under-20 World Cup". BBC Sport. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
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