England's preparations for the upcoming Six Nations championship have been dealt a severe blow with the news that promising prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been ruled out of the entire tournament.
Double Blow for Borthwick's Forward Plans
The 21-year-old Sale Sharks forward sustained a shoulder injury during training and is scheduled for surgery on Friday 16 January 2026. The procedure is expected to sideline him for at least two months, rendering him unavailable for the competition which begins on 7 February.
This development compounds an existing problem for head coach Steve Borthwick, as Opoku-Fordjour becomes the second tighthead prop confirmed absent. He joins Bath's Will Stuart, who is missing the remainder of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Who Steps Up in the Front Row?
The double absence leaves Leicester's Joe Heyes, who started three of England's autumn internationals in November, as the only established international tighthead available for the opener against Wales. His fitness is now paramount.
Northampton's Trevor Davison, who earned his third cap last summer, provides an experienced alternative. The situation may also accelerate the promotion of younger talents. Gloucester's Afolabi Fasogbon and Bath's Vilikesa Sela, both highly-rated former England U20 teammates of Opoku-Fordjour, are now in contention. Bristol's George Kloska, with England A experience, is another potential option.
On the loosehead side, there is also concern, with Harlequins' Fin Baxter yet to play in 2026 due to injury. Borthwick is due to name his official squad on Friday 23 January.
Character to Overcome Adversity
Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson confirmed the bad news ahead of his side's Champions Cup trip to Toulouse, calling it a "real shocker" for player, club, and country. However, he expressed strong confidence in Opoku-Fordjour's resilience.
"It takes a special kind of person to take on the psychological load of playing international rugby at tighthead at 19 or 20 years old," Sanderson said. "He already has that ability to handle, to reframe, to carry. He is probably already looking ahead to how strong and fit and physical he is going to be when he comes back. That is the kind of character he is."
Opoku-Fordjour, who can play on both sides of the scrum, earned his sixth cap in England's autumn victory over Argentina. His untimely injury presents a significant challenge for Borthwick, who must now find reliable solutions in the engine room of the pack for one of rugby's most demanding tournaments.
