Chiefs lock Matt Symons returning home to England

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 compet…