Rising rugby star Graham Kitchener has been called up to the England under-20 squad – but will miss out on the chance to represent his country at next year’s World Cup as the tournament clashes with his A Level exams!
Kitchener, from Baschurch, has come a long way since his early days as a junior member of Shrewsbury Rugby Club.
The towering 18-year-old prospect, who recently signed a new two-year deal with Worcester Warriors after developing in the club’s Academy, will join the staff at Sixways full time when he completes his education next summer.
Already capped by England at under-16 and under-18 level, Kitchener is the only full time schoolboy to have been named in the England under-20 squad currently preparing for the Six Nations tournament next spring and the World Cup in June.
“Unfortunately, he won’t be able to play in the World Cup as it clashes with his A Level exams,” said Graham’s mum Sue. “But he is still eligible to play again the following year and hopes to get to the 2009 World Cup.”
Lock Kitchener is rated highly by Worcester after a string of eye-catching displays for the Academy and in the Guinness ‘A’ League.
Renowned as an athletic forward – he’s six foot six and weighs 16st 13lbs – Kitchener has been connected with Worcester since he was 14, his performances earning him international honours and also attracting attention from other high profile Guinness Premiership clubs.
But he was always keen to remain a Worcester player and has now signed a two-year extension to his deal which ties him to the Warriors until 2010.
The club’s Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has been impressed with Kitchener’s development and has predicted a very bright future for the local lad.
“I’ve been very impressed with Graham since I first saw him play for England against Wales under-16s and one of my sons a few years ago,” said Ruddock.
“He has got international height and size and international skill levels so I’m predicting a big future for Graham.
“We have just introduced a mentoring scheme at the club and our plan is that New Zealand international lock Greg Rawlinson will be his mentor. I’m sure that will assist him to make quicker progress to the first team and international honours.
“We’re delighted he has decided to remain at the club as I know he had attracted lots of interest from other top flight clubs.”
Kitchener played his early rugby at Shrewsbury as a seven-year-old and played for the club up to under-11 level before trying his hand at football as a member of the Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy for three years.
He had to choose between the two sports at the age of 14, opting to continue with his rugby, and he spent a season playing for Shrewsbury’s under-15 team before his selection for England’s under-16s.