The promising prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is poised for his England debut against Japan on Sunday, with Steve Borthwick anticipated to include the 20-year-old in the matchday squad. Opoku-Fordjour was initially called up to Borthwick’s squad following Joe Marler’s international retirement after the loss to New Zealand earlier this month. However, he made a significant impression during last week’s England A win over Australia at the Stoop.
Prior to that match, Borthwick expressed, “I have been really positive about what I’ve seen from Asher,” and it is understood that Opoku-Fordjour is being considered for a spot among the substitutes on Sunday as Eddie Jones faces his former team at Twickenham for the first time. Borthwick is reportedly contemplating several changes after a series of five consecutive defeats, including three this autumn. Tom Curry is back in contention after recovering from a concussion, and there are rumors of a surprise inclusion on the bench for another potential debutant, Cadan Murley, who scored two tries against Australia A last week.
The Harlequins wing was called up alongside Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is still recovering from a concussion, and Elliot Daly, who withdrew due to injury. Murley is said to have caught the eye of the coaching staff this week. Borthwick is set to officially announce his team on Friday afternoon. Opoku-Fordjour was part of the England under-20s team that won the junior World Cup over the summer, defeating France in the final, thanks to a dominant scrum. Borthwick lamented England’s scrummaging issues after the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, but alongside Opoku-Fordjour, tighthead props Afo Fasogbon and Billy Sella have also shown potential.
The Sale youngster was the first from this group to be called up to the senior squad and would be the first to earn a cap if he makes the matchday squad and takes the field on Sunday. He possesses the unique ability to play on both sides of the scrum, although Sale views him as a tighthead, while England sees his future at loosehead. With Marler retired, Opoku-Fordjour’s debut could signify a further shift in the squad, possibly marking Dan Cole’s 118th and final appearance for England.
Earlier this week, Cole strongly defended Borthwick, who asserted after last weekend’s defeat by South Africa that he has the “absolute support” of his employers at the Rugby Football Union. On his For The Love Of Rugby podcast, Cole stated: “Yes, he’s the right man for the job. 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.”
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