ROLES are set to be reversed on Monday when lock Andrew Kitchener welcomes his older brother back to Sixways for the start of pre-season.

When second row Graham Kitchener last wore a Worcester Warriors jersey in 2011 Andrew was just 14 years old with aspirations of one day following in his sibling’s footsteps.

But having now established himself in the senior squad Andrew, 22, says he will feel like the “old-timer” when he shows Graham, 29, “the ropes” at the club.

After eight years away with Leicester Tigers, Graham will return to his boyhood club where he will link up with Andrew.

“I am really looking forward to it,” Andrew said.

“It will be a bit strange seeing him around every day as there is a bit of an age difference between us.

“I will be like the old-timer showing him the ropes which doesn’t seem right!

“It will be good to have him around and I am sure we can learn a lot from each other and push each other on.”

Graham came through the youth set-up at Warriors before making his debut in 2007 and racking up 72 first-team appearances.

The 6ft 6in forward left to sign for Leicester where he became a key figure, helping them to win the Premiership title in 2013.

Despite his allegiances to Tigers, Graham has popped over to Sixways on occasions to support Andrew who made his Warriors bow in 2016. But Andrew said he had little influence over Graham’s decision to re-sign for Worcester.

“It was his call,” he said.

“He knows the club having come through the academy here and spent a couple of seasons in the first team.

“He saw it as a good opportunity for himself.

“He has got a lot of experience now — that is one way of saying he is getting on a bit!

“He has played in a lot of big games for Tigers, he runs the lineout really well and is a big lad as well so he will put himself about around the park.

“He can help us in multiple aspects.

“Growing up (in Shropshire) this was our nearest club which was why we came through the academy here.

“He moved to Leicester but that is only an hour-and-a-half away so for him to move to another Midlands club was beneficial from a logistical point of view as well.”

The Kitchener brothers faced each other for the first time last November with Andrew coming out on top as Warriors beat Leicester 31-12 in the Premiership Cup at Welford Road.

But the duo will now battle it out for a place in Warriors’ second row although 6ft 7in Andrew is hoping to team up with Graham in the pack.

“That would be ideal,” Andrew said.

“There will be a little bit of competition between us but that’s healthy.

“We are comfortable with that so we are going to push one another.

“If we can play alongside each other that will be brilliant.

“My dad is really happy.

“He didn’t particularly like it when we played against each other as there were mixed emotions.

“But having us on the same team will be much easier for him so he is looking forward to it.”