RISING stars Andy Symons and Shay Kerry have been snapped up by Worcester Warriors as work continues at Sixways to build an excited squad for the future.
Symons, who can operate at centre or fly half, has joined up with Warriors’ first team, while lock Kerry has landed an academy contact at the club.
Former Saracens academy ace Symons, who has previously played for Old Albanians, moved to New Zealand where he came under the wing of former All Blacks star Aaron Mauger at Christchurch club High School Old Boys.
The 22-year-old. who stands at 6ft 5in and is regarded as a strong ball-carrier, has also spent time at Leicester Tigers as he appeared for the East Midlands club in last year’s JP Morgan Sevens Series.
Kerry, 18, was part of Millwall FC’s academy before moving to moving to New Zealand in 2007 where he attained a football scholarship with Otago Grammar School.
But after receiving advice from a coach at school. Kerry turned his attentions to rugby as he went on to feature for West Harbour u20s and the New Zealand development side.
Director of rugby Dean Ryan said he admired not only their ability but also their appetite for the game and he was looking forward to seeing them develop at Warriors.
“I am delighted to welcome Andy Symons and Shay Kerry to Sixways,” he said. “They are both young players, who are hungry to impress.
“They are the sort of individuals we are trying to develop at Sixways as we build for the future.”