LONG READ Junior Kpoku: 'My goal is to fight for an England place at the 2027 World Cup.'

As close neighbours, England and France mutually foster an entente cordiale after a chequered past but when it comes to sport, the rivalry is still as cut-throat as the days of Napoleon and Nelson trading cannonballs over the English Channel. There is a desperation for one-upmanship in sporting arenas and on the rugby field, with the much-debated eligibility rules adding more grey areas than ever, one French-speaking English lock has caught the eye of Fabien Galthié by turning out a series power-packed performances for Racing 92.

Junior Kpoku was a star of England’s U20 World Cup-winning squad in South Africa, but instead of basking in the adulation of their first global trophy at that level since 2014, he was spirited over to Paris to work under the watchful eye of former England coach Stuart Lancaster.

Part of a long-limbed Congolese family, many of whom reside in France, Kpoku had attended the sleepy Fenland public school of Finborough until last year but is now fending for himself in the City of Lights, having turned 19 in September.

Indeed, this season has seen a coming of age for the younger brother of former Saracens lock Joel, who now plays in Pau, after a few years with Lyon.

The question, therefore, is where he will play his Test rugby, especially if his trajectory continues apace? Blanc ou bleu, if you like?

Ask Kpoku and he’s happy to go on record and say there is only one choice. “Every time I go to a game, I get asked the same question: does signing a new contract with Racing 92 affect me playing for England? Right now, my goal is to fight for an England place at the 2027 World Cup. That would be the dream scenario for me. I haven’t made that public, until now, but I’ve made it privately. I speak to Steve Borthwick and Conor O’Shea on a regular basis. I do want to return to England at some point.”

As well as the chance to work under Lancaster, and rub shoulders with the likes of Owen Farrell, Henry Arundell and Will Rowlands, Kpoku has family close by. “It was the right option for me at the time when I signed from Exeter Chiefs. My brothers are out in France, my father is here. I wanted to be closer to them but professionally it’s about what I want and my heart leans towards the red rose of England. That’s where the emotional pull is. I’m signed up until 2028, but I have the option to come back in 2027.”

Owen Farrell has been fantastic with me. He’s helped with my work on both sides of the ball, and stuff like my line-speed. His experience in the game as a former England captain speaks for itself.

England’s hierarchy will need to keep tabs on the 6ft 8in behemoth because the French Rugby Federation have made overtures to find out his position. “Fabien (Galthié) has been in to speak to me and I speak to the French lads at Racing, who unsurprisingly, have said it would be a great decision to throw my hat in with France, but I have to go with what my heart tells me.”

With injuries in the engine room at Racing, Kpoku has played more rugby than expected, starting seven consecutive games – the latest last Friday’s 10-point Champions Cup loss to Glasgow. “I’ve played a lot of rugby already this season and packing down with the likes of Cameron Woki and Romain Taofifenua is a privilege. All these big names have helped me hugely. To any young player reading this, if they have the opportunity to come out here and learn from the big dogs, then go for it.”

Two names, in particular, stick out to Kpoku, when it comes to doling out hard-earned advice. “Owen Farrell has been fantastic with me. He’s helped with my work on both sides of the ball, and stuff like my line-speed. His experience in the game as a former England captain speaks for itself.”

In the pack, it’s the Oxford-educated former Wasps and current Wales lock, Will Rowlands, who has put a paternal arm around his shoulder. “Every day is an education with Will. I’ve never met anyone like him. His attention to detail, how precise he is. His attitude to defence. He’s like, ‘Junior, your job is not done when you’ve made a tackle, it’s done when you’ve got back up and won the ball’. He’s a very intelligent man and one of the best tight-end locks in the game.”

Stuart Lancaster has endured a challenging time in France, with Racing 92 lying in ninth position in the Top 14, but the former Leinster coach has been a father-figure to him, as Kpoku makes the difficult transition from boy to man. “Stuart is big on ‘attitude’. Like, when things are getting tough, can you still perform at intense pressure? He’s also a big one for how you conduct yourself off the pitch. He wants you to have a proper post-match recovery, not going out on the beers or partying. If I want to become one of the best locks in the world, I have to make sacrifices.”

What Kpoku really appreciates is Lancaster’s honesty. “Of course, he’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with. He’ll tell you if you’re playing like a drain, but he’ll pat you on the back if you’re playing well. You know where you stand with him.”

I’m 6ft 8ins (2.03m) – the same height as Eben Etzebeth – and I think I’m still growing. I weigh around 120kgs (18st 9lbs) and I would think in my 20s I’ll fill out a bit more but I want to stay light and be quick around the park.

An education at an English public school has helped him adapt to living on his own, so too the ability to converse in French, and you suspect his gargantuan size means he is not the most obvious teenager to intimidate on the mean streets of the French capital. “I wish I had my mum with me to help me cook and clean, like most 19-year-old boys, but I’m doing okay,” he chuckles. “I’m living by myself on the outskirts of Paris but I’m looking to move to the 14^th arrondissement soon. Boarding at school gave me a head start in looking after myself.”

If anyone were to take liberties with Junior in Paris, they’d be wise check out the supersized Kpokus. “We are a big family,” he chuckles. “My dad is 6ft 5ins and my mum is 6ft. Joel is 6ft 6ins and I’m 6ft 8ins (2.03m) – the same height as Eben Etzebeth – and I think I’m still growing. I weigh around 120kgs (18st 9lbs) and I would think in my 20s I’ll fill out a bit more but I want to stay light and be quick around the park. I’m training hard, doing 65s and 70kgs dumb-bells on the bench. The lads take the mick in the gym and say I’m a small lad but believe me, when I get on the pitch I’m not a small boy!”

Even from over the English channel, Kpoku is keeping close tabs on the class of 2024, the first English team to win the U20 World Championship in a decade. “It’s great to see my boys doing well. Asher (Opoku Ford-jour) is doing brilliantly up at Sale, Olamide (Sodeke) is making an impression at Saracens, Afo (Fasagabon) has picked up a knock but been making huge strides at Gloucester while I know Billy Sela is highly regarded at Bath. As for Henry (Pollock, the Northampton back-rower), what can I say about Henry? He’s ridiculous.”

Despite the travails of the senior English team, Kpoku has confidence in Steve Borthwick that knows what he wants and the RFU have built very firm foundations for a new golden generation. “The seniors have lost a few games, sure, but it’s a learning curve and all roads leads to 2027. Do the ageing Ireland and South African teams have what it takes win the World Cup in Australia? Can New Zealand find that consistency, or can France win it for the first time? I think England will be right in the mix.”

While most 19-year-olds are striking out on their own at university, or in the world of work, making mistakes along the way, Kpoku’s embryonic years as a professional sportsman are in the public glare. He has been metaphorically thrown in at the deep end, but his exposure to the toughest domestic league in the world could yet pay dividends for England further down the line. “The question I’m asking myself is when I’ll return but for now, I want to give 100 per cent to Racing 92. There have been conversations about getting me back. but I just want to learn my trade and grow as a person. We’ll see what the future brings.”