• Help Support The Rugby Forum :

England 2024/25

Wonder if it is the Smith re-signing and they weren't expecting Quins to announce it this soon, so thought they had the scoop - they mention it being big for England in the opening paragraph
 
'Yeah, that has come up,' said Kpoku. 'But France is not my country, it is just where I play rugby. For me, it wouldn't feel right to represent a different country, that I wasn't born in. I wouldn't like it.
'France is a great country, but I don't think the Marseillaise would be for me. Playing for England is in my blood - I was born there, and my parents, my family, my friends are all from there. It's better for me to represent my own country, not a foreign country.'
Click to expand...
Please remember this in 2026 🙏🙏🙏

Interesting that it sounds like he has a get out at the end of every season not just for the world cup
 
Meh, I'm not too fussed over him. If he wanted to play for England he'd be here. He isn't so just like Willis he can F off. We've also seen players struggle when moving from France to England so let's wait and see.

In the mean time we've got Itoje as VC, then two locks who will be the mainstay of our pack for years to come in Chessum and Martin.

If he was a 12 or tight head it would be a different story but he isn't.
 
Don't Skip Leg Day said:
Meh, I'm not too fussed over him. If he wanted to play for England he'd be here. He isn't so just like Willis he can F off.
Click to expand...
It's not like he's calling for the rules to change, he specifically says he plans to move back when he feels ready to make a push for international rugby
He's still got a season u20s eligiblity in him
 
TRF_Olyy said:
It's not like he's calling for the rules to change, he specifically says he plans to move back when he feels ready to make a push for international rugby
He's still got a season u20s eligiblity in him
Click to expand...
From what I read before giving up, it's not like he's an Armitage who thought that the size of his ego made him a "special circumstance" or a JWillis who genuinely was a "special circumstance"... until he renewed.
More like a Mercer, who went to France, knowing that he wouldn't have an England career whilst there, and plans to return to challenge for an England shirt (though ullike Mercer, he's not already tied to England).
As Mercer has shown, being a star in France, and actually getting selected for England once back in the country, isn't a given - though Zach couldn't have chosen a worse club to help him press his claim.
 
Massive potential and I think it's brilliant that he's learning his trade in France.

And great that he seems to be committed to England.

Itoje, Martin, Chessum all good. Let's see how Kpoku's game develops, but I can't deny that 6' 8" and 19 stone is a perfect start in building my ideal lock.

Like that he doesn't seem like a total rugby bore and that he's got a bit of attitude and ego about him - so he should have at that age. Would he have been able to express himself the same way coming through the ranks at English clubs where conformity seems to be the order of the day?

Still in career nappies, but will watch his progress with interest.
 
Vieux Talonneur said:
Massive potential and I think it's brilliant that he's learning his trade in France.

And great that he seems to be committed to England.

Itoje, Martin, Chessum all good. Let's see how Kpoku's game develops, but I can't deny that 6' 8" and 19 stone is a perfect start in building my ideal lock.

Like that he doesn't seem like a total rugby bore and that he's got a bit of attitude and ego about him - so he should have at that age. Would he have been able to express himself the same way coming through the ranks at English clubs where conformity seems to be the order of the day?

Still in career nappies, but will watch his progress with interest.
Click to expand...
A bit like Fasogabon...who i wasnt sold on initially, but im really warming to him. Hes got that edge on the field and hes really taking it to the old men...
 
Still feel like the media are overhyping Fasogbon because he has clippable moments where he's rubbing people's faces in it - like he beat Genge in that scrum and waved him off the pitch, then next scrum (and every one after) got demolished by Woolmore

There was another clip going around last week of him wagging his finger after winning a scrum but he lost most others that game

He's doing better than I expected though, tbf, and his work rate is very good around the pitch - remember seeing a stats table for all the young props and he was hitting a crazy amount of rucks per game, like a third more than the next best or something
 
I thought the same when i saw him in the U20's...thought he just just there for his size...but what im seeing from him on the pitch now (more than just clippable moments) and what his coaches are saying about him (off the pitch) , im changing my opinion.
 
Ffffffff... Quoted wrong press article.

*Edit*
Fixed it (was talking about Jr. Kpoku)
 
Vieux Talonneur said:
Massive potential and I think it's brilliant that he's learning his trade in France.

And great that he seems to be committed to England.

Itoje, Martin, Chessum all good. Let's see how Kpoku's game develops, but I can't deny that 6' 8" and 19 stone is a perfect start in building my ideal lock.

Like that he doesn't seem like a total rugby bore and that he's got a bit of attitude and ego about him - so he should have at that age. Would he have been able to express himself the same way coming through the ranks at English clubs where conformity seems to be the order of the day?

Still in career nappies, but will watch his progress with interest.
Click to expand...
Exactly all he is is potential right now, he's 19 and learning his trade against the best in France then so be it. He needs to prove himself and earn a place. He's also smart, why come back and have all the England pressure and expectation instead of getting a good pay out and experience in France with little pressure and come back at 23 and walk into england(if good enough) likly replacing Itoje who would be 34.

Also 6'8 is huge and 19 stone at 19 before he fills out he could be a powerhouse but I have no idea what type of game he plays.

Really hope he is good enough and hope he comes back to Chiefs :)

Also pretty sure I read he went to France to be closer to his ill father.
 
Scotty said:
Exactly all he is is potential right now, he's 19 and learning his trade against the best in France then so be it. He needs to prove himself and earn a place. He's also smart, why come back and have all the England pressure and expectation instead of getting a good pay out and experience in France with little pressure and come back at 23 and walk into england(if good enough) likly replacing Itoje who would be 34.

Also 6'8 is huge and 19 stone at 19 before he fills out he could be a powerhouse but I have no idea what type of game he plays.

Really hope he is good enough and hope he comes back to Chiefs :)

Also pretty sure I read he went to France to be closer to his ill father.
Click to expand...
Will they still have a club...i didnt realise it was up for sale ....
 

Similar threads

Taylo2
England Rebuild
4 5 6
Replies
113
Views
14K
Don't Skip Leg Day
Don't Skip Leg Day
F
  • Locked
England vs. Wales
Replies
1
Views
2K
TRF_Cymro
TRF_Cymro
TRF_Cymro
Martin Johnson has quit as England coach
2
Replies
25
Views
5K
Surefire
S
N
England RWC 2011 Shirt
Replies
17
Views
5K
Thingimubob
Thingimubob
A
Italy v England 2012-6 Nations
Replies
0
Views
1K
AlanUK
A

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)

Latest posts

Top