The Sale Sharks youngster, who is following in the footsteps of the likes of Asher Opoku-Fordjour, shone in the National Leagues this term and is hoping a memorable season can continue with England Under-20s. (Photo Credit: Gareth Lyons)

While obtaining a golden ticket to Australia might still be seen as a dream, it isn’t out of the question for 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour.

The Sale Sharks prop – who as recently as last season was playing in National One for Sale FC – was this week called up to the British and Irish Lions training squad.

Opoku-Fordjour only made his England senior debut last autumn, but is now over in Portugal as the Lions gear up for their match against Argentina in Dublin on June 20th.

With Tadhg Furlong an injury doubt and Zander Fagerson ruled out of the tour, the Lions are stretched at tighthead. Ireland’s Finlay Bealham looks set to fill the void left by Fagerson, but there is now an opportunity for Opoku-Fordjour to highlight his qualities to head coach Andy Farrell.

Considering the emerging talent was packing down away at Cinderford in September 2023 and is now involved with the Lions, it further highlights the rise of Opoku-Fordjour, who seriously impressed this time last year in England’s triumphant Under-20s’ World Championship campaign.

If his Lions dreams fail to materialise, Opoku-Fordjour will link up with the England senior squad for their upcoming tour of Argentina and the USA.

And his success serves as a source of inspiration, particularly for fellow Sale youngster Alfie Longstaff.

“It shows how quickly things can change,” 19-year-old Longstaff tells National League Rugby. “If you put that extra bit of work in, look what can happen! He is someone who puts a lot of work in and he has got the results. He has already helped me quite a lot.”

Following in the footsteps of Opoku-Fordjour, Longstaff has been cutting his teeth in the National Leagues this term, and he hopes to end his 2024/25 season by representing England at this year’s Under-20 World Championship in Italy.

The hooker – who can also operate in the back-row – played five times for National Two North side Preston Grasshoppers this year, and he also made 13 appearances for Sale FC in the third tier.

Like his Sale Sharks teammate, Longstaff has been learning his trade at levels three and four, with Opoku-Fordjour also spending time with Sedgley Park during their 2022/23 National Two North title-winning campaign.

“I have developed so much over the last 12 months,” says Longstaff, who signed a senior academy contract at Sale last summer. 

“I wouldn’t change anything. Coming to Sale, having that experience in the National Leagues has really helped me get exposed to men’s rugby and has just built me more as a player.”

It is clear Longstaff has been invigorated by his time at Preston and Sale FC (with almost 90 per cent of his rugby coming in National One and National Two this year) but to be able to make an almost immediate impact during your first season of senior rugby has to be commended. 

Whilst at Woodhouse Grove School in West Yorkshire, Longstaff did have the opportunity to choose rugby league over rugby union. 

He spent two years on a scholarship at Warrington Wolves, but turned down a contract with the Super League club to focus on his academics and his path into union.

Developing within the Yorkshire academy, the opportunity to sign for Sale came along and straight out of schoolboy rugby, Longstaff has taken everything in his stride this season.

“Going from quick, schoolboy rugby, which is maybe not as physical, to Harrogate away with Preston at the start of this season, was enjoyable,” Longstaff says with a chuckle. “I was playing against one of my old coaches from my school (Harrogate fly-half Tom Steene) so that was pretty cool.

“We just won [38-31] so that was the perfect introduction to the National Leagues! I sat on the bench while the lads ran in something like five tries, came on for the last 35 minutes and defended for 35 minutes! That is exactly what I needed!

“I’ve come up against some seasoned pros this season who have probably been at their clubs for 10-15 years. It is very tough, especially coming in at such a young age, but that is the exposure you need going from schoolboy rugby. It is just that grit which stands out for me. Sometimes you just need to get stuck in.”

While they are of course individuals, there are certainly parallels between Longstaff and the aforementioned Opoku-Fordjour, with their upward trajectory leading to England Under-20 recognition. 

Longstaff – who played at Under-18 and Under-19 level for England – was part of the Under-20s Six Nations camp earlier this year, but missed out on the main squad as he focused on his development within the National Leagues.

Now back involved with the Under-20s as they continue their prepartions for the defence of their World Championship title, there is a sense of realism in Longstaff’s next answer: “I think at the time, it is a big change coming into a new academy [at Sale] but getting the news I wasn’t going to the Six Nations probably helped me in my stride. It pushed me on. I had some good games for Sale FC, and I do think that has helped me.”

When asked for a standout moment in the National Leagues this term, Longstaff adds: “Richmond at home for Sale FC. That was a very good day at the office for me, scoring a hat-trick! 

“We struggled going into Christmas, but came back in January and had some really good wins at home against Richmond and Rams, so that was a moment for sure.”

The performance which Longstaff references against eventual champions Richmond earned him National One Player of the Week. Seven days before this, he had claimed the National Two North Player of the Week accolade with Preston.

For what it’s worth, that, in itself, perhaps highlights the talent Longstaff possesses, the all-action hooker ending the season with 11 tries in 18 NLR appearances – seven for Sale FC and four for Preston.

But intertwined with his National League Rugby commitments, Longstaff did make his Premiership debut for Sale against Bristol Bears last month. With Luke Cowan-Dickie sidelined through injury, the 19-year-old replaced Tadgh McElroy for the final five minutes at the Salford Community Stadium.

“It was good to get that taste of Premiership rugby,” Longstaff says. “There is a really good young group coming through at Sale, and I know the coaches want that to continue. To get that first taste does make me want to have more involvement with the squad. 

“I have been lucky enough to be in and around the group in training as well so that has been great. Being chucked in is not something you expect, but I am glad it has happened!”

For now, Longstaff is looking forward to another weekend with England Under-20s after making his debut for Mark Mapletoft’s side in last Friday’s 47-14 victory over Wales in a World Championship warm-up game.

Longstaff came off the bench for the final half an hour, and he will be determined to put his best foot forward when England conclude their pre-tournament schedule against Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday.

As a year to savour draws to a close, the hooker hopes there is one more chapter to be written.

After this weekend’s fixture with Georgia, England will name their squad for the World Championship on June 19th, with their campaign beginning against Scotland on June 29th before pool matches against South Africa and Australia.

Still just 19, Longstaff will face stiff competition from the highly-rated Kepu Tuipulotu of Bath and Exeter Chiefs’ Louie Gulley when it comes to a place on the plane to Italy.

Whether this year’s championship is too early for Longstaff is debatable, but his ambition remains undiminished and a promising future undoubtedly lies ahead for the youngster.

“I do always want more and that has driven me on at Sale and in the National Leagues because I want to play better,” he admits.

“It [being part of the World Championship squad] would top off the year. I feel like I have developed well and had some good memories along the way so it could be a nice finish to the season.”

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