A CITY centre bar will have a sporting chance of success after a professional rugby player gave it his backing.

Former England international Luke Narraway, who now plies his trade with Perpignan in France, has teamed up with fellow ex-King’s School Worcester pupil JJ Goodman to take over Keystones in Copenhagen Street.

The venue will be rebranded Keystones Cocktail Club and is aiming to offer a new drinking experience and a range of tempting tipples, with the team behind it completed by James Hopkins and John-Paul Batterton, who will run the bar on a day-to-day basis.

Mr Goodman, founder of the London Cocktail Club who owns three bars, said the ex-Gloucester captain was looking forward to being involved with the venture in his home city after the pair began planning the move last year.

“Luke has always said he wanted to do something in hospitality,” he said. “I asked if he was interested and sent him the plan. He is Worcester born and bred. He is really excited.”

Mr Goodman said he was also excited about opening a bar in Worcester.

“I have been very lucky to go round the world with my occupation but I always said it would be great to come back and do something,” he said. “It’s a big step up for Worcester. We will be focusing on the bartending. The execution will be perfect, producing a quality product in a rapid period of time. “There’s a lot of high aspirations for it.”

The first event at the venue will be an invite-only launch on Saturday, April 20, which will be followed by the official public opening two days later on Monday, April 22.

Mr Goodman said the team was expecting a big turn-out on the first night and rugby star Narraway is hoping to attend the launch if his playing schedule on the continent allows him to make the journey to the Faithful City.

For more information, go to keystonescocktailclub.co.uk.