Afolabi Fasogbon

Afolabi Fasogbon
Birth nameAfolabi Fasogbon
Date of birth (2004-08-24) 24 August 2004 (age 20)
Place of birthSurrey, England
Height1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight132 kg (20 st 11 lb)
SchoolThe Bishop Wand Church of England School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Saracens Amateur RFC ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021–2023 London Irish 1 (0)
2022 Esher (loan) 0 (0)
2023– Gloucester 11 (0)
Correct as of 9 November 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021 England U18 1 (0)
2023–2024 England U20 16 (5)
2024– England A 1 (0)
Correct as of 17 November 2024

Afolabi Fasogbon (born 24 August 2004) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a prop forward for Gallagher Premiership club Gloucester.[1]

Despite showing promise from a young age with both Gloucester and England A, he first gained media attention for his confident attitude when facing more experienced opposition, waving off England international Ellis Genge as he was being substituted in a fixture against Bristol Bears before shushing Northampton Saints prop Tom West after winning a penalty against him. Despite this, friends and teammates have made it clear his on-field personality is very different from his off-field one.[2]

Early life

Fasogbon’s Nigerian parents grew up in Lagos before emigrating to England.[3] He attended Bishop Wand School in Sunbury-on-Thames.[3] Despite not playing rugby union until he was at under-14 level, he joined the London Irish Academy at 15 years-old, having previously represented Saracens Amateur RFC.[4][5]

Club career

London Irish

Fasogbon signed on as a professional with London Irish ahead of the 2022-23 season.[6] In September 2022 he made his debut for London Irish against Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup.[7]

Esher

Fasogbon also played for Esher in National League 1 on loan. On his first XV debut he scored a try against Cinderford at Molesey Road in October 2022.[8]

Gloucester

After London Irish entered administration it was announced in June 2023 that Fasogbon had joined Gloucester.[9]

International career

In August 2021 Fasogbon earned his only England U18 cap in a match against Italy U18.[8] He represented England U20 during the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and on 10 February 2023 scored his only try at international youth level in a 35-25 victory over Italy.[10] Later that year he was a member of the side that finished fourth at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship.[11]

Fasogbon made his only appearance of the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship against Scotland as England went on to win the competition.[12] He was included in their squad for the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship and started in the final as England defeated France at Cape Town Stadium to become junior world champions.[13][14]

In November 2024 Fasogbon played for England A in a victory over Australia A.[15][16]

References

  1. ^ Henson, Mike. "Marler's mic drop, Falcons' film night & Fasogbon's wave". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  2. ^ Henson, Mike. "Marler's mic drop, Falcons' film night & Fasogbon's wave". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kelleher, Will (10 October 2024). "Afolabi Fasogbon: the 20-year-old, 20st prop who waved off Ellis Genge". The Times. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Afolabi Fasogbon". London-Irish. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  5. ^ Evely, John (29 June 2023). "He's a freak - going to be incredible one day' - Gloucester Rugby's latest recruit marked as a rising star". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  6. ^ O’Donoghue, Conor (22 June 2022). "London Irish confirm 7 new professionals". Irish Post. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Young Guns: London Irish & England U20s prop Alofabi Fasogbon". The Rugby Paper. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  8. ^ a b Sansom, Tom (3 March 2023). "'Next Kyle Sinckler' – Three Future England Tighthead-Props To Boost Steve Borthwick's Squad". Ruck. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Gloucester sign five London Irish players after Exiles' demise". BBC Sport. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Ma'asi-White shines as England hold off Italy". Sixnationsrugby.com. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  11. ^ Coles, Ben (10 July 2023). "England's next generation: The U20 stars of tomorrow who could break into Steve Borthwick's squad". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Under-20 Six Nations: Scotland 17-30 England - Visitors maintain Grand Slam bid". BBC Sport. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  13. ^ Meagher, Gerard (19 July 2024). "England dominate France to claim fourth World Rugby under-20 title". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  14. ^ "England overpower France to win Under-20 World Cup". BBC Sport. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  15. ^ Morgan, Charlie (6 November 2024). "Gabriel Ibitoye called up to England A squad for Australia fixture". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  16. ^ Telfer, Alastair (17 November 2024). "Murley scores twice as England A beat Australia A". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 November 2024.