Latest news with #AsherOpoku-Fordjour
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Lions make shock new call-up and All Blacks legend dies
Today's rugby news as Lions make shock new call-up and All Blacks legend dies The latest rugby news stories from around the world today Sale Sharks' Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Image: 2025 CameraSport ) These are your rugby headlines on the morning of Monday, June 9. Lions make shock call-up Sale's tight-head prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been called up to train with the Lions squad, it has been reported. The 20-year-old has only played once for England and is a shock addition to Andy Farrell's party, according to the BBC, as they head to Portugal for a training camp ahead of facing Argentina in Dublin prior to the tour of Australia. It follows news that former England captain Jamie George has also been drafted in to plug holes in the squad. The Lions are without 16 players currently who are all playing in end-of-season finals next weekend and are set to be left out of that warm-up match against the Pumas in 11 days' time. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Tighthead prop is one of the big issues, with Leinster's Tadhg Furlong and Bath's Will Stuart unavailable, while Scotland and Glasgow's Zander Fagerson is recovering from a calf strain and hasn't played any rugby since April. Opoku-Fordjour has been one of the breakthrough players of the season and was nominated for the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Season award. Article continues below All Blacks legend dies All Blacks legend Stu Wilson has died in his sleep at the age of 70. Wilson played wing for New Zealand from 1976 to 1983, scoring 19 Test tries for his country and played a crucial role in two series victories over the British & Irish Lions in 1977 and 1983. He was also a Wellington legend where he scored 54 tries in 89 matches before becoming a well-respected broadcaster after retiring. Wilson was also a key member of New Zealand's 1978 grand slam tour where they beat England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The victory over Wales in Cardiff is still mired in controversy because with just seconds remaning the hosts led 12-10 before Andy Haden infamously jumped out of the lineout. This led to English referee Roger Quittenton to award a penalty for the All Blacks which allowed Brian McKechnie to kick the winning points which broke Welsh hearts. At one stage Wilson held the record for most tries scored in a Test match for the All Blacks before he was overtaken by the legendary Sir John Kirwan in 1988. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free 'When I started playing, Stu was the benchmark in world wing play," Australian legend David Campese told Planet Rugby. "He was the man we all wanted to be – cocky, clever, blisteringly quick and brilliantly intelligent. As a player, Stu made rugby look easy and earned huge respect as captain in 1983. "He had a swerve to beat anyone, extreme pace, intellect and power, able to break through tacklers, making him a try-scoring machine. 'I made my debut against him in 1982 in the Bledisloe in Christchurch and grabbed my first Test try against him. "We became very great pals, playing together in invitation games. I still have his jersey from that first Test match and it's one of my most cherished possessions as he represented the standard I wanted to attain." Rugby chief quits overnight By PA Sport Staff New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson has resigned and will officially leave his post at the end of 2025, the organisation has announced. NZR chairman David Kirk thanked Robinson for his 'great service' to the organisation and the sport over six years. 'On behalf of the Board, I'd like to recognise Mark for his great service to NZR and the sport,' he said in a statement. 'He has led with a passion for rugby and we thank him for his commitment over the past six years. 'Mark has driven significant change, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the Board believes the organisation is well-placed to capitalise on this. Of note was his leadership through a global pandemic that saw the game deal with an unprecedented crisis.' He added: 'Mark will continue to lead for the remainder of the year as we conclude key projects, and the Board will now commence recruitment for the new role.' In a statement, Robinson said he was leaving the role to join his wife and children, who have relocated to Australia. 'My family have been based in Australia for the last few months with all three of my children studying there,' he said. 'My wife is already there supporting them and, ultimately, I will be joining them early next year. 'The past six years have been a period of rapid change, or unprecedented challenges through the pandemic, and significant evolution across commercial, competitions and structures. I will reflect on that as I get closer to stepping away, but I firmly believe the foundations of our organisation are extremely strong and the game is well-placed for the future. 'Our vision is to inspire and unify through rugby and that opportunity has been an easy motivator for me every single day, from the community game right through to the international level.' The 51-year-old called his tenure a 'privilege' and said his focus was on 'supporting the Board and leading the organisation through a pivotal year, including ensuring the Black Ferns have the support they need to defend the Rugby World Cup in England'. He added: 'We also remain focused on implementing a new financial model for the game in New Zealand and completing the remaining work on what will be an exciting future international calendar.' Robinson took up the role in January 2020, having previously served on the organisation's board for seven years. His playing career included nine Tests for the All Blacks between 2000 and 2002 and appearances for the Bristol Bears and Japanese side Kobelco Steelers. Anscombe signs off Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe has signed off on his time at Gloucester ahead of his new adventure to France. Anscombe spent one season playing in front of The Shed at Kingsholm and heads off to join French side Bayonne for the 2025/26 campaign. His combination with fellow Welshman Tomos Williams in the nine-10 axis was a roaring success but the 33-year-old has decided to move on to pastures new. "Loved my time down at @officialgloucesterrugby for the year, the support we got every time at holm was something special," he wrote on Instagram." "Many thanks to everyone I met along the way, most of all the lads, made some great mates along the way and I'm going to enjoy watching the youngsters tear it up over the next few years. "Bit of down time now and then it's on to France." Bayonne said in a statement last month: "Having played for the Auckland Blues, the Chiefs, and Gloucester, Gareth will bring his experience to our talented line-up. "Gareth Anscombe has also played in two Rugby World Cups for Wales! He will join the club for one season." O'Gara points finger at himself Ronan O'Gara admitted "the main culprit is me" after La Rochelle failed to reach the end-of-season play-offs. This is the first season in his tenure they haven't made the business end knockouts and the Irishman was clear where the blame should lie. An 18-32 defeat to Pau on Saturday meant they slipped out of the top six, finishing the campaign in seventh. O'Gara admitted: 'The coach was especially missing. We talk about discipline all week, but when the coach is suspended, he can't have any impact. The main culprit is me. I'm frustrated, angry, disappointed. And I'm sad for the fans after all the bad games they have had. I'm sad for Brice (Dulin), I'm very sad for Tawera (Kerr-Barlow). He deserves much more than this.' He added: 'I didn't expect that. I ask myself: how can you play like that in a match of this importance? It was more like the team of February or March than the one of the last few weeks. Article continues below 'There was a lot of hesitation at every level when it came to running, kicking, passing… We had won five matches in a row to secure a place (in the top six) and it was as if we thought we were going to arrive and get the job done. But sport, fortunately or unfortunately, isn't like that… Congratulations to Pau.'
Telegraph
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Asher Opoku-Fordjour tipped by Lions coach to gatecrash squad
Sale Sharks youngster Asher Opoku-Fordjour has emerged as a Lions bolter for his rare ability to play both loosehead and tighthead, according to scrum coach John Fogarty. The 20-year-old has won just one cap for England, coming on as a replacement against Japan last November, however he is firmly on the Lions radar in part because of a versatility that has become increasingly rare in the modern game, with the honorary exception of Bath and Springbok prop Thomas du Toit. Opoku-Fordjour is deployed at tighthead for Sale in the Premiership, but England believe that his future lies at loosehead where he has featured for England Under-20s and England A. He did replace Will Stuart at tighthead when he came on against Japan to make his Test debut at the Allianz Stadium. In a Lions context, the ability to play both sides becomes even more valuable as Fogarty has to weigh up how many props he can take Down Under and how he will rotate his front rows through seven warm-up games leading into the Test series against the Wallabies that begins in Brisbane on July 19. "Goodness me..." @davidflatman 's reaction to Asher Opoku-Fordjour says it all 😮💨 Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺 #GallagherPrem | #SALvEXE — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) December 21, 2024 'There's not too many [who can play both sides],' Fogarty said. 'Cian Healy was such a pleasure to have because he could play tighthead, loosehead and hooker with Ireland. There's not a huge amount. I know Asher at Sale he plays a bit of both sides. He has done both. We will see. I know Andrew Porter has done both, but he has been a loosehead for the last while. Something like that is valuable isn't it? 'We'll see what the number [of props] is. Andy will guide me with what the number should be and people need to be adaptable on a tour like this. It is so exciting and it is such a good opportunity to try out all these things as well. On the last tour they took four hookers. We have had discussions now around you will have a game on the Saturday, you'll have a game on the Wednesday and you'll have a game on the following Saturday. So you will have two front rows involved. If you only have one more left, how does look the following Wednesday and how do we get our reps in? 'Those discussions are happening right now. We went through some scheduling and Andy has tasked us with seeing how we can fit that in so myself and John Dalziel are going to link up over the next couple of days and talk a little bit more on things like that: what's the right number and how can we make that work so we can properly prepare a Saturday team and a Wednesday team.' Two other tightheads who are also consideration are Kyle Sinckler, who has not represented England since moving to Toulon in the Top 14, and Tadhg Furlong, who has started the last six Tests for the Lions and has been recently been dogged by calf and hamstring injuries before making his Ireland comeback against Ireland. 'He's fit and available,' Fogarty said. 'He's someone who if he is playing and playing to the right levels and his body's good then why not? He has done a tour. He is a world class player. Let's see. We will be watching closely over the next few weeks and months and I think it is important that we do that - we watch closely and we make the right decisions. 'Anyone who is eligible we are looking at them. For me, I understand the importance of this that for the players they will be desperate to go, Kyle included, and I am going to make sure that I go back over as much as possible to make sure we are making the right decisions with combinations, with the individuals. No-one is off the table at this moment in time. We will do the right thing and make sure we are thorough in how we're selecting the team and making sure we're bringing the right people.' Analysis: Freakish and versatile talent proves hype train is real Having spent the Six Nations as a specialist trainer for England without a single minute of Test match game-time, over a campaign broken up by his shuttle to and from Sale Sharks for a Premiership Cup fixture against Newcastle Falcons, Asher Opoku-Fordjour would certainly qualify as a rather wild bolter of a British and Irish Lions selection. Then again, the 20-year-old is a highly intriguing talent who has generated plenty of excitement since his eye-catching performances in age-group action. Two seasons for England Under-20 culminated in World Championship success last summer, where Opoku-Fordjour was integral to a monstrous scrum. John Fogarty, the Lions scrum coach, will have been robustly alerted to Opoku-Fordjour's promise in December 2023, when, at the age of 19, he acquitted him extremely well in a Champions Cup tussle against Andrew Porter of Leinster. Freakish strength is an obvious asset. Speak to Nathan Catt, the Rugby Football Union's scrum guru, and he will extol Opoku-Fordjour's diligence and drive to improve the smallest set-piece details. Over time, we will become more accustomed to his explosive dynamism in the loose as well. Refreshingly, though, and thanks in no small part to the guidance of Catt and other coaches, Opoku-Fordjour is among a crop of propping prospects who are truly passionate about scrummaging. The question of this protégé's position remains open to debate. England are still curious about his potential at loosehead, where he shone for the Under-20 side. He started there for England A against Australia in November. The rationale seems to be that Afolabi Fasogbon and Billy Sela will push through rapidly at tighthead, with Will Stuart and Joe Heyes excellent over the Six Nations for the senior side. Alex Sanderson, the Sale director of rugby, was delighted that Opoku-Fordjour's Test debut against Japan in autumn came at tighthead, because Sale prefer him there. Sanderson has semi-joked, too, that versatility is a sure-fire way to juicy contracts. Thomas du Toit at Bath, a Springbok ambi-scrummager, is one of the most valuable players in the Premiership. In the shorter term, flexibility could well nudge one-cap Opoku-Fordjour into the Lions squad and on the way to Australia. There will be midweek matches, particularly towards the Test series, that require contingency plans and adaptability. One high-speed hype train could be about to accelerate to even greater velocity.
