Super Rugby
Chiefs lock Matt Symons returning home to England
ESPN Staff
March 26, 2015
Matt Symons has opted to return home and will link with London Irish © Getty Images
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Chiefs lock Matt Symons will return to England after two seasons of top-level rugby in New Zealand.

Premiership club London Irish have signed Symons on what they describe as a "long-term deal", to begin when the Super Rugby season finishes. English-born Symons, 25, has played two NPC seasons with Canterbury and is into his second Chiefs campaign. The industrious forward was regarded as a potential All Black if he saw out his residential requirements but the return home will end that possibility.

"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.

London Irish will be coached next season by New Zealander Tom Coventry after he completes his fourth season as Chiefs assistant coach. Symons says Coventry played no part in his decision to leave.

"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."

© AAP

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