Stone boy takes on the All Blacks!

One family in Stone were watching the England-New Zealand rugby match at the weekend with more interest than most.

Newcastle Falcons star Kieran Brookes earned his third cap on Saturday, coming on as a substitute as England pushed the mighty All Blacks all the way at Twickenham, going down 24-21 in a thrilling game.

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Kieran, who’s 24, was born and brought up in Stone, living in Walton and going to Manor Hill First School, before moving to Lytham St Annes, near Blackpool, when he was nine. He still has family in Stone, though – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – and they were all proudly watching the match on Saturday.

He joined Newcastle Falcons in 2009 and in 2011 was selected for England Saxons to play against Barbarians at Twickenham. This year he was called up to the senior squad and joined the summer tour of New Zealand, where he was capped twice from the bench. Click HERE for lots more information on his meteoric rugby career.

Uncle Andy Brookes said: “We’re all so proud of Kieran. He’s making a real name for himself in the rugby world and to see him live on TV in a huge match against the All Blacks was just incredible.”