Leicester confirm capture of Saxon trio
Leicester have confirmed the acquisition of prop Kieran Brookes, lock Graham Kitchener and scrum-half Micky Young.
All three of the new arrivals to Welford Road are currently representing the England Saxons squad in the Churchill Cup, making appearances also against the Barbarians last month.
Brookes, 20, and Young, 22, both depart Newcastle for the midlands based Tigers while 21-year-old Kitchener joins from newly promoted Worcester.
Brookes joined Newcastle Falcons upon completing his studies at Kirkham Grammer School, Lancashire making 40 first-team appearances for the Falcons over the past two seasons.
Schooled in Perth, Australia and Grahamstown, South Africa, Brookes first played for home town club Stoke when six and his cosmopolitan background has brought dual qualification.
Now a Saxon, Brookes represented Ireland at under-18s and 19s before making his Premiership debut against Saracens in October 2009 before going on to represent England under-20s.
Not only has scrum-half Young represented England for the Saxons side but at four other levels also. A member of the England Sevens team for the 2009 campaign he scored the sudden death try against New Zealand that saw them lift the London Sevens title.
Young is also a European Champion following England under-18's triumph at the competition in 2005 as well as appearing for the under-16 side. Having made 56 appearances for the Falcons Young has signed a two year deal with the Tigers.
Kitchener, like Young and Brookes has represented England in junior competition at under-16, 18 and 20 levels. As part of the Saxons last summer he appeared in England's Churchill Cup winning campaign alongside Young. The 6ft 6in lock has given up the opportunity to play for Worcester in the Premiership once more for pastures new at Leicester.
Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill sees the three signing as promising young talents with potential at Welford Road.
"We've brought a number of young players through to our first-team squad in the last couple of season and we think these three have the potential to develop well within our environment.
