Andrew Kitchener

{{Short description|English rugby union player}}

{{EngvarB|date=December 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Andrew Kitchener

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Andrew Mark Kitchener

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1996|7|15}}

| birth_place = Shrewsbury, England

| height = {{height|m=2.01}}

| weight = {{convert|113|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

| position = Lock

| amatyears1 =

| amatteam1 = Shrewsbury

| amatteam2 = Wolverhampton

| ru_amupdate =

| years1 = 2014–2022

| years2 = 2015

| years3 = 2016–2017

| years4 = 2022–

| clubs1 = Worcester Warriors

| clubs2 = → Nottingham (loan)

| clubs3 = Birmingham Moseley (dual-reg)

| clubs4 = Saracens

| apps1 = 86

| apps2 = 1

| apps3 =

| apps4 = 0

| points1 = 0

| points2 = 0

| points3 =

| points4 = 0

| ru_clubupdate = 7 October 2022

| repyears1 = 2016

| repteam1 = England U20

| repcaps1 = 7

| reppoints1 = 0

| ru_ntupdate = 30 June 2016

| relatives = Graham Kitchener (brother)

| university = University of Birmingham

}}

Andrew Kitchener (born 15 July 1996) is an English rugby union player.

Andrew Kitchener joined the Worcester Warriors academy in 2014 and is the younger brother of Warriors lock Graham Kitchener. Kitchener made his first team debut in Moscow, Russia against Enisei-STM in the European Rugby Challenge Cup in November 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/enisei-stm-vs-worcester-warriors-at-slava-stadium-15th-oct-2016/22123|publisher=Ultimate Rugby|title=Enisei STM 19-12 Worcester Warriors|date=15 November 2016|access-date=3 December 2020}} He continued to impress when handed the opportunity and went on to make more appearances across the 2016-17 campaign, as he featured in every European Challenge Cup fixture, while also making his Premiership debut against Northampton Saints in November 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/worcester-vs-northampton/report/77577|publisher=Sky Sports|title=Worcester 17-18 Northampton|date=18 November 2016|access-date=3 December 2020}} He also gained senior experience with Birmingham Moseley in the National League 1 for the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.redbrick.me/interview-with-student-athlete-andrew-kitchener/|publisher=Redbrick|title=Interview with Student Athlete: Andrew Kitchener|date=23 October 2016|access-date=3 December 2020}}

Kitchener was called into England U20s for the 2016 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/14335986.worcester-warriors-lock-andrew-kitchener-recalled-as-england-under-20s-face-in-form-wales/|publisher=Worcester News|title=Worcester Warriors lock Andrew Kitchener recalled as England Under-20s face in-form Wales|date=10 March 2016|access-date=3 December 2020}} He also helped them to win the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship alongside Warriors team-mate Jack Singleton.{{cite news|url=https://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/sport/wrfc/14480731.worcester-warriors-trio-andrew-kitchener-jack-singleton-and-huw-taylor-picked-for-england-under-20s-world-rugby-championship-bid-in-manchester/|publisher=Evesham Journal|title=Worcester Warriors trio Andrew Kitchener, Jack Singleton and Huw Taylor picked for England Under 20s World Rugby Championship bid in Manchester|date=9 May 2016|access-date=3 December 2020}}

On 8 May 2019, Kitchener signed his first professional contract with Worcester at Sixways Stadium, thus promoted to the senior squad from the 2019–20 season.{{cite news|url=https://warriors.co.uk/2019/05/08/kitchener-relishing-joining-warriors-senior-squad/|publisher=Warriors|title=Kitchener relishing joining Warriors senior squad|date=8 May 2019|access-date=3 December 2020}} He played against his brother, Graham, for the first and only time when Warriors won at Welford Road against Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Rugby Cup in November 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/46085026|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Premiership Cup: Worcester Warriors record biggest-ever win at Leicester|date=3 November 2018|access-date=3 December 2020}}

Kitchener graduated from the University of Birmingham with a first-class degree in Economics in the summer of 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/2019/07/24/worcester-warriors-lock-andrew-kitchener-graduates-with-a-first-class-degree-in-economics/|publisher=Shropshire Star|title=Worcester Warriors lock Andrew Kitchener graduates with a first-class degree in economics|date=24 July 2019|access-date=3 December 2020}} On 28 November 2019, he signed a two-year contract extension with the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50577275|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Andrew Kitchener: Worcester Warriors lock forward extends contract|date=28 November 2019|access-date=3 December 2020}}

On 5 October 2022 all Worcester players had their contacts terminated due to the liquidation of the company to which they were contracted.{{Cite web |title=Worcester player and staff contracts terminated after high court ruling {{!}} Worcester {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/05/worcester-player-and-staff-contracts-terminated-after-high-court-ruling-rugby-union |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=amp.theguardian.com}}