Asher Opoku-Fordjour, a promising rookie prop, is poised to make his England debut against Japan this Sunday, with head coach Steve Borthwick reportedly planning to include the talented 20-year-old on the substitutes’ bench for the pivotal clash at Twickenham.
Opoku-Fordjour’s selection into Borthwick’s squad came as a result of Joe Marler’s recent announcement to retire from international rugby following England’s loss to New Zealand earlier this month. The young prop’s standout performance in last week’s England A triumph over Australia at the Stoop caught the eyes of the coaching staff. Prior to that match, Borthwick expressed his endorsement, stating, “I have been really positive about what I’ve seen from Asher.” Sources at the Guardian indicate that Opoku-Fordjour is now a strong candidate for a spot among the substitutes as Eddie Jones prepares to face his former employers.
In an effort to turn around England’s fortunes after suffering five consecutive defeats—three of which occurred this autumn—Borthwick is contemplating several lineup changes. Tom Curry, having recovered from a concussion, is once again available for selection. Additionally, the head coach is considering a surprising inclusion for Cadan Murley, who is also eyeing his first cap after netting two tries against Australia A last week. Murley joined the squad in place of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is sidelined with a concussion, and Elliot Daly, who withdrew due to injury, but his impressive training sessions this week have not gone unnoticed by the coaches. Borthwick is expected to officially announce his squad on Friday afternoon.
The Sale youngster played an instrumental role in the England under-20s side that secured the junior World Cup title this summer, triumphing over France in a thrilling final, bolstered by an exceptional scrum performance. Following the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, Borthwick lamented England’s scrummaging deficiencies, but alongside Opoku-Fordjour, fellow tighthead props Afo Fasogbon and Billy Sella have also showcased their potential.
As the first of this group to be called into the senior squad, Opoku-Fordjour has the opportunity to become the first to earn a senior cap if he takes the field on Sunday. He possesses the rare versatility to play on both sides of the scrum; while Sale views him as a tighthead, the England setup sees his future as a loosehead. With Marler’s retirement marking the end of an era, Opoku-Fordjour’s debut could signify a pivotal transition, particularly with Dan Cole potentially making his 118th and final international appearance.
Earlier this week, Cole staunchly defended Borthwick amidst challenges, asserting in his For The Love Of Rugby podcast that Borthwick is indeed the right choice for the role. He remarked, “We’ve lost, is it five now on the bounce? But it’s like … we’ve played New Zealand twice away, France away, South Africa at home. Yes, we should have beaten Australia, that’s probably the one big anomaly.”
What impact could Asher Opoku-Fordjour’s debut have on his future career in rugby?
**Interview with Rugby Expert about Asher Opoku-Fordjour’s England Call-Up**
**Host:** Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re diving into the exciting news surrounding young rugby talent Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who is set to make his potential England debut against Japan this Sunday. Joining us is rugby expert and commentator, Jamie Thompson. Jamie, thanks for being here.
**Jamie Thompson:** My pleasure! It’s an exciting time for English rugby, especially with new talent emerging.
**Host:** Absolutely! Let’s start with Asher Opoku-Fordjour. He’s made quite an impression, hasn’t he?
**Jamie Thompson:** He really has. At just 20 years old, he’s been making waves with his performances, especially during the recent England A match against Australia where he showcased his skills. Head coach Steve Borthwick has clearly been impressed, stating that he’s been very positive about what he’s seen from Asher [[1](https://www.rugbypass.com/news/two-key-reasons-behind-asher-opoku-fordjours-england-elevation/)].
**Host:** And his selection comes at a pivotal moment for the national team, especially with Joe Marler’s retirement from international rugby. How significant is this for Opoku-Fordjour’s career?
**Jamie Thompson:** It’s huge. With Marler stepping back, there’s a notable gap in that position, and Opoku-Fordjour’s inclusion reflects the faith the coaching staff has in him to step up. This is a great opportunity for him to show what he can do on the international stage [[1](https://www.rugbypass.com/news/two-key-reasons-behind-asher-opoku-fordjours-england-elevation/)].
**Host:** In terms of the match against Japan, what do you anticipate his role will be, considering he’s likely to start on the bench?
**Jamie Thompson:** Coming off the bench can be a great environment for a debut. It allows him to acclimatize to the intensity of international rugby without the immediate pressure of starting. Plus, if he performs well in a tight match, it could set the tone for the rest of his career with England.
**Host:** It seems like Borthwick is making several lineup changes in light of recent performance struggles. How do you think Opoku-Fordjour will fit into these changes?
**Jamie Thompson:** He represents a fresh perspective and energy, and the team certainly needs that after five consecutive defeats. Borthwick is clearly looking to inject new talent to reinvigorate the squad. If he performs well, he could become a regular fixture going forward [[1](https://www.rugbypass.com/news/two-key-reasons-behind-asher-opoku-fordjours-england-elevation/)].
**Host:** And what does the future look like for Opoku-Fordjour if he succeeds in this debut?
**Jamie Thompson:** If he makes a strong impression, he could solidify his place in the squad moving forward, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. Players like him are vital as England looks to rebuild and regain its status in international rugby. It’s a pivotal moment not just for him, but for the future of the team overall.
**Host:** Exciting times ahead! Thanks for your insights, Jamie. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how Asher Opoku-Fordjour performs this Sunday!
**Jamie Thompson:** Thank you! Looking forward to the match!
