Joel Kpoku Explained

Joel Kpoku
Birth Name:Joel Awanka S. Kpoku
Birth Date:22 June 1999
Birth Place:London Borough of Newham, London, England
Height:6feet
Weight:19st
University:Oaklands College
Position:Lock
Currentclub:Lyon
Years1:2017 - 2018
Apps1:2
Points1:5
Years2:2018 - 2019
Apps2:2
Points2:5
Years3:2018–2021
Clubs3:Saracens
Apps3:9
Points3:20
Years4:2021–
Clubs4:Lyon
Apps4:0
Points4:0
Repyears1:2018 - 2019
Repteam1:England U20s
Repcaps1:15
Reppoints1:10
Clubupdate:8 May 2019
Repupdate:8 May 2019

Joel Awanka S. Kpoku (born 22 June 1999)[1] is an English-born Congolese rugby union lock for Lyon in the French Top 14

Kpoku began playing rugby at school and joined rugby league side London Skolars at 12 years old.[2] He then joined Saracens Amateur RFC in 2013 before being selected to join Saracens academy at under-17s.[2] Joel impressed Saracens whilst studying at Oaklands College as a member of the Oaklands Wolves Rugby Academy, In 2016 Kpoku toured South Africa with Saracens Amateurs U17 team. He was called up for full training in August 2018 after impressing in the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[3]

In February 2019 he was short listed for the Premiership Rugby Cup Breakthrough Player Award.[4]

He committed his immediate future to Saracens in 2020 in a two-year deal that would see him promoted from the senior academy to the first team.[5]

However, on 19 November 2021, Kpoku left Saracens with immediate effect to move to France to join Lyon in the Top 14 from the 2021-22 season.[6]

Personal life

Kpoku has Congolese heritage. He has rugby playing brothers, Jonathan Kpoku and Junior Kpoku.[7] [8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joel Kpoku ESPN profile. 8 May 2019.
  2. Web site: Hotshot: Saracens and England U20 lock Joel Kpoku. Rugby World. 10 January 2019. 8 May 2019.
  3. Web site: Chris Ashton: Sale winger named in England squad for first time since 2016. 2 August 2018. 8 May 2019. BBC.
  4. Web site: Premiership Rugby Cup Breakthrough Player Award: James Grayson of Northampton Saints. Rugby Wrap Up. 18 February 2019. 8 May 2019.
  5. Web site: 2020-05-25. Joel Kpoku commits future to Sarries. 2020-06-20. Saracens. en-GB.
  6. News: BREAKING: Saracens star confirms move to Lyon. Ruck.co.uk. 19 November 2021. 5 December 2021.
  7. Web site: Youngest Kpoku brother plays for England U20s – but may have been lost to France already. Charlie. Morgan. 6 March 2024. 16 March 2024. Daily Telegraph.
  8. Web site: 'I was kind of lost in the rugby world, my name had gone quiet' . 2022-06-28 . www.rugbypass.com . en.