The lock was educated at Ashmole Academy and started his rugby career as a league player with the London Skolars, with whom he won the Challenge Cup at U17 level against Brixton RLFC.
He then joined Saracens Amateurs before signing for the academy at U17 level and faced Bedford and Timisoras in the build-up to the 2017/18 season.
Kpoku was a rugby league player in his youth but since signing for the Saracens academy he’s been forging a path as a flourishing union player.
And while a fractured metatarsal saw him miss seven months of the 2017/18 season, he returned to fitness in time to make his England U20 debut against the Junior Springboks in May 2018.
His debut marked a fine month for the young second row which also saw him nominated for the Aviva Community Player of the Season award for his off-field work.
Joel was one then of two Saracens players to be selected in Steve Bates’ England U20 squad for the 2018 World Rugby U20 Championship in France, after strong performances in the Premiership A League.
Kpoku was included in England’s U20 Six Nations squad in 2019.
In February 2019 he was shortlisted for the Premiership Rugby Cup Breakthrough Player Award and announced he had extended his Saracens contract in May 2020
In November 2021, Kpoku left Saracens after 46 appearances for the club signing a deal to join Top 14 club Lyon.
JW November 2021
Career
 |
Pau No 4 Lock |
2024 - present |
 |
Ampthill Rugby No 4 Lock |
2008 - 2009 |
 |
England U20's No 4 Lock |
2018 - 2019 |
 |
Barbarians No 4 Lock |
2020 - 2020 |
 |
Saracens No 4 Lock |
2019 - 2021 |
 |
Lyon No 4 Lock |
2021 - 2024 |
