The ‘powerful and athletic’ reason why Sale target Junior Kpoku has been loaned out by Racing to a Top 14 rival

Sale Sharks target Junior Kpoku has secured a loan move away from Racing 92 to a rival Top 14 club until the end of the current season.

The England U20s World Rugby Junior Championship 2024 winner started in the Parisian club’s 32-13 defeat last Saturday at Cardiff in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

That was just the 20-year-old’s sixth appearance in 2025/26 for Racing, and he has now been loaned out to Toulon until the end of the Top 14 season.

A club statement read: “Toulon is pleased to announce the immediate arrival of Junior Kpoku from Racing 92 on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Stands out for his versatility

“The 20-year-old has joined the Toulon pack to bolster their ranks and address current absences in the second and back rows. Boasting an impressive physique (2.03m and weighing 119kg), this young player with high potential will bring his power, physical presence, and energy to the red and black squad for the remainder of the season.

“An England U20 international, Kpoku stands out for his versatility, athletic qualities and commitment to the fight, making him a promising profile in European rugby.”

Toulon sports director Laurent Emmanuelli added: “The arrival of Junior Kpoku addresses an immediate need for reinforcement in our pack.

“He is a young player with enormous potential, a powerful and athletic profile, capable of playing in both the second and back rows. This loan will allow him to continue his development while providing us with a valuable solution for the end of the season.”

The switch will see Kpoku link up with four former England Test players, Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam and Zach Mercer, who all featured in last Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup win over Munster.

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It was last week when Sale boss Alex Sanderson admitted he was in the hunt to sign Kpoku for next season, even though the forward is contracted at Racing until the summer of 2027.

The Sharks are keen to bring the youngster to Manchester having lost out on George Martin, the Leicester player who signed for Saracens, and Chandler Cunningham-South, who extended his Harlequins deal.

“There’s a good chance he could come here, but nothing is agreed,” said Sanderson. “That would be outstanding if we could snag him. He is some kind of an athlete.

“We were just doing some stats on him and he is in the top 10 for dominant carries, dominant tackles, out of all the second rows in the Top 14. That is as a 19/20-year-old and just shows the foundation of where he could get to.

“He is an international athlete and someone needs to make him into an international player. We feel like we are good at that.”

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