Background
He is the son of former England cricketer Graham Dilley.
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Chris Pennell
Edit ProfileEducation
The family moved to Portadown, Northern Ireland, where he was educated at Millington Primary School, and was a member of the victorious Gilpin cup side in 1999. Returning to England, he was educated at Old Swinford Hospital School in Stourbridge where he played a key part in their run to the semi-finals of the Daily Mail Cup.
Career
He currently plays for Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a fullback and is a former captain of Worcester Warriors. Although head boy, he turned down the chance to captain the cricket first XI because of his A-levels.
Having been offered a professional contract at Worcester Warriors, he delayed his offer of a university place, making his Guinness Premiership debut against Bath Rugby in 2007/08, and representing England at Under 19 level
He became a key performer for the club during the 2008-2009 English Premiership campaign, until he suffered a serious knee injury in Europe. He returned to full fitness, and grabbed tries against Connacht Rugby and Olympus Rugby XV Madrid in Europe during the 2009/10 season, making 16 appearances during the campaign and scoring five tries.
After signing a new two-year deal in February 2010, he became club captain for the 2010-2011 RFU Championship campaign. After winning the play-off against Bedford Blues at Sixways and both legs of the play-off final, Worcester secured promotion to the Premiership for the 2011-2012 season.
Pennell has been unlucky with injuries, suffering a severe ankle injury, a serious knee injury and the mental injury of his father Graham Dilley passing away.
In 2014, Pennell signed a contract until 2017 with Worcester Warriors. In 2014, after a season of being Warriors" top performer, and the fans plus Dean Ryan himself supporting claims for Pennell to be in the England Squad, Pennell was called up to the England training squad by coach Stuart Lancaster, and in May he flew out with the squad for the Barbarians" fixtures. He made his England debut during the tour, coming off the bench in the 20-15 loss to New Zealand.
