Graham Kitchener can be England lineout king says Louis Deacon
Kitchener has stepped up to the mark in the absence of the injured Geoff Parling and has reached new heights in the past fortnight.
Outstanding in the Tigers’ 22-17 success at Gloucester in the last round of Premiership action, which Deacon describes as his fellow lock’s best display for the club, Kitchener, 25, was again in supreme form in Sunday’s 41-32 Heineken Cup win over Montpellier.
“He is really starting to show just how good a player he is with his expertise in the lineout, as a jumper and caller, and in general play with his handling and ability to make line breaks,” Deacon said of Kitchener.
“I think that all comes down to having the opportunity to play on a regular basis.
“With Geoff, Ed Slater and Steve Mafi out injured there’s literally only been me and him in the second row.”
Deacon, who won 29 caps for his country, believes England Saxon Kitchener would feel right at home on the senior international stage.
“England need lineout callers and Graham Kitchener is definitely someone who can do that job,” said Leicester-born Deacon, a veteran of more than 250 games for his hometown club.
“If he carries on playing the way he is, and with the injuries that England have in the second row, he could actually be involved in the Six Nations.
“At 6ft 7in and 19st 10lb he is huge for a second row, but he can still get around the park and is very quick. He has got a good future ahead of him.”
Kitchener will face close to an international examination when Leicester take on Montpellier at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir today. The Tigers know a second victory over the French is vital if they are to challenge Ulster for top spot in Pool 5.
Deacon, who joined the Tigers academy in 1997, is the only member of the last Heineken Cup winning squad still playing for the club.
That success came 11 years ago – against Munster in 2002 – and Deacon admits further European glory has been a long time coming.
And with an English boycott of next year’s competition looming this could be Leicester’s – and Deacon’s – last chance to put the record straight. We’ve been to a couple of finals and lost to Wasps and Leinster, so we’ve been close but just not quite got there,” he said.
“Those two years we won it back-to-back were my first experience. I’d just joined the squad so thought it was pretty easy back then but it’s certainly not been that way since.
“The first thing to do is get out of your pool, hopefully with a home draw, and then everybody has got a chance from there.
“These back-to-back occasions highlight what a great competition the Heineken Cup is. I really enjoy this period and it’ll be a real shame if we don’t get to do it again next year.”
Deacon is in talks about extending his long association with the club.
“We’re in discussions at the minute about extending my contract,” the 33-year-old revealed. “I want to stay and the club has told me they want me to stay so I am sure we’ll sort something out.”
JON NEWCOMBE
