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Junior Kpoku reportedly makes immediate Top 14 switch amid PREM interest
By Josh Raisey
Racing 92 and England U20 lock Junior Kpoku is set to make an immediate switch to Toulon until the end of the season, according to French outlet Midi Olympique.
The 20-year-old moved to Paris in 2023 from Exeter Chiefs, but has struggled for game time this season under Patrice Collazo.
Though his deal in the French capital expires in 2027, he has been linked with a move to Sale Sharks next season, with the Gallagher PREM outfit weighing up whether they should buy the versatile forward out of his contract.
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Toulon appear to have stepped in for now, however, the door would be open for a PREM switch at the end of the season to kickstart his Test career, as the deal is only reported to be until the conclusion of this current campaign.
Having spent three years at a French club before the age of 21, Kpoku will become JIFF-qualified at the end of the season, which will make him an even more attractive prospect for various Top 14 clubs.
Furthermore, Kpoku will eventually qualify for France on residency grounds, although, when speaking to RugbyPass last year, he expressed his desire to play for England.
“Right now, my goal is to fight for an England place at the 2027 World Cup,” he said. “That would be the dream scenario for me.”
In order to represent England, the currently ineligible forward will have to be playing in the PREM, with Sale remaining the frontrunners to sign him.
“What a talent he would be,” Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson recently said. “It would be outstanding if we could snag him. We have been trying to understand what his route back into England would be like. He is JIFF-qualified at the end of his year, and there is still a transfer fee.
“And we are duking it out with the big boys in France, La Rochelle and stuff. Fortunately, transfer fees don’t come into the salary cap. So as long as our owners are feeling generous and we feel he is a good prospect for this group.
“There is a good chance he could come here. Nothing is agreed, and obviously, we have been that close on so many occasions without anything happening to pre-empt saying it would probably jinx the whole operation.”
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