LONDON Irish have announced the signing of Matt Symons from New Zealand Super Rugby Club Chiefs.
The 25-year-old English-born lock joins the Exiles following a short spell at the Waikato-based club.
Symons signed for two-time Super Rugby Champions Chiefs in 2014 – where he was named Chiefs pre-season captain and vice-captain for the 2015 campaign - after representing Canterbury in the 2013 ITM Cup winning squad.
“It was a really tough decision to leave one of the best Super Rugby teams in the competition but the opportunities that London Irish offered and the chance to return home were very compelling,” he said.
“The new coaching set up at London Irish is exciting. I had made my decision before they had established the management team, but having worked with Tom Coventry at the Chiefs I know he will be a massive asset to London Irish.”
Former rower Symons moved to New Zealand in 2012 following a stint in the Saracens youth set up.
London Irish Operations Director Bob Casey said: “Matt is an incredible athlete. He has size, mobility, work rate and is joining from a world class set up at the Chiefs. He is a natural born leader who is the right age and a player we believe will be a key figure in leading this Club onto bigger and better things.
“Matt is a player we have targeted for some time and both Glenn Delaney and Nick Kennedy have played a key role in attracting him to the Club.”
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