Struggling PREM side buck the trend as highly rated England prospect set to return from France
Junior Kpoku in action for England U20s and England head coach Steve Borthwick.
Sale Sharks are leading the race to sign ex-England U20 lock Junior Kpoku ahead of the 2026/27 season, according to reports in France.
The second-row forward has spent the past couple of seasons with Racing 92 after leaving Exeter Chiefs’ academy, but he looks likely to return home ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
While La Rochelle have expressed significant interest in bringing him to the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, it appears as though a trip back across the Channel awaits Kpoku.
According to Midi Olympique, Sale – Premiership runners-up in 2023 and semi-finalists the following two seasons – are favourites to capture his signature.
If confirmed, it is a move which will buck the trend of players giving up potential England careers for lucrative deals in France with Zach Mercer, Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans and the Willis brothers – Jack and Tom – among those to agree contracts in the Top 14.
Linked with Sale previously
The Sharks were linked with Kpoku last season, and they finally seem to have got their man as the 20-year-old looks to fulfil his Test ambitions.
Despite being based in France since 2023, that did not prohibit him from being selected for the England U20 side, but he needs to be featuring in the Gallagher PREM in order to be considered for full international honours.
The second-row revealed to Planet Rugby earlier this year that he was seeking to return to England, but did not give a firm timeframe.
“One day I would (return from France), 100%. I’d love to come back and play for my country. But, at the moment, I’m tied down to Racing and I’ve got a job to do there,” he said in July.
That could well happen sooner rather than later, despite Kpoku being contracted to Racing until 2027 with Sale hoping to add to their lock stocks.
They have two talented young second-rows in the form of Ben Bamber and this year’s England U20 captain Tom Burrow, and he will add further depth to their ranks.
It will also be a boost to England head coach Steve Borthwick, who could well have another option in the engine room ahead of the next World Cup in Australia.
An U20 world champion
Kpoku made his debut for the Parisians in February 2024 and took that form into the World Rugby U20 Championship, helping England to the title.
He then featured regularly for Racing during the 2024/25 season, either at lock or in the back-row, but his game time has been limited in 2025/26.
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The talented forward has played just five times, with three of those in the Top 14, which has perhaps accelerated his decision to move back to England.
Kpoku is the younger brother of former Saracens lock Joel, who currently plays for Pau in France and has previously been with Lyon.