Graham Kitchener (born 29 September 1989 in Bromley) is an English rugby union player. His position is lock.
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| Date of birth | 29 September 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Bromley, Greater London, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 121 kg (19 st 1 lb; 267 lb) [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Adams' Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Birmingham University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Andrew Kitchener (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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He has represented England at Under 16, 18 and Under 20 level, and played a part in the Under 20s 6 nations grand slam in 2008.[2] He was also a crucial member of the 2009 Under 20 squad, reaching the final of the JWC.[3]
Kitchener attended Adams' Grammar School in Newport like fellow professional rugby player Peter Short of Bath Rugby.[4]
A talented all round athlete, he spent 3 years playing football for Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy before deciding to focus on rugby.[citation needed] He was a schoolboy cricketer for Shropshire[citation needed] and was the Midlands Under 17 Shot Put champion,[citation needed] before finishing 6th in the English Schools championships. He combines his commitments as a professional rugby player with a full-time degree at University of Birmingham[citation needed]
A graduate of the academy system at Aviva Premiership club Worcester Warriors, Graham Kitchener left the Warriors to join Leicester Tigers for the 2011-12 season. Kitchener started the 2013 Premiership final and scored a try as Leicester defeated Northampton Saints.[5]
He played for the England Saxons through 2011, including their successful Churchill Cup campaign.
Kitchener was selected for the England squad to face the Barbarians in the summer of 2014.[6]
He was called up to the senior England squad for the 2015 Six Nations Championship.[7]
On 4 February 2019, Graham would re-sign for his old club Worcester Warriors, effectively leaving Leicester from the 2019-20 season.[8]
On 5 October 2022 all Worcester players had their contacts terminated due to the liquidation of the company to which they were contracted.[9]