Matt Symons

Matt Symons (born 4 August 1989) is an English retired rugby union player who played 200 career games in a career spanning 11 seasons. He played for Esher in the RFU Championship before playing for currently plays for Canterbury and Chiefs in New Zealand; returning to England he played for London Irish, Wasps and Harlequins in Premiership Rugby. He won the Premiership with Harlequins in 2021.

Matt Symons
Birth nameMatt Symons
Date of birth (1989-08-04) 4 August 1989
Place of birthHarlow, England
Height2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
Weight121 kg (19 st 1 lb)
UniversityUniversity of Reading
Notable relative(s)Andy Symons (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Youth career
1994–2006 Saracens
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2012 Esher 14 (5)
2013–2015 Canterbury 15 (5)
2014–2015 Chiefs 28 (5)
2015–2016 London Irish 23 (0)
2016–2018 Wasps 31 (5)
2018–2022 Harlequins 89 (0)
2011–2022 Total 200 (20)
Correct as of 30 June 2022

Career

Symons has had an interesting route to the top. He started out in the Saracens youth system before leaving to pursue a career in rowing. An injury to his forearm ended his rowing career and saw him make a return to rugby. In 2011, he started playing professionally for Esher for whom he made 14 appearances.[1]

2012 saw him head south to New Zealand where he set up base in Christchurch and initially saw action for the Canterbury B side and Crusaders Knights development team before being named in the Canterbury squad for the 2013 ITM Cup. He became a regular starter in his first full season and earned himself a Super Rugby contract with two-time champions the Chiefs for the 2014 Super Rugby season.[2]

On 25 March 2015, Symons returned to his home nation to sign for London Irish in the Aviva Premiership from the 2015-16 season following Chiefs assistant coach Tom Coventry to the English side.[3]

On 28 June it was confirmed that Symons had terminated his contract with London Irish after their relegation to the Green King IPA Championship and signed for former London rival Wasps.

On 23 May 2018, Symons would sign for Premiership rivals Harlequins from the 2018-19 season.[4]

He started in the Premiership final against Exeter on 26 June 2021 as Harlequins won the game 40-38 in the highest scoring Premiership final ever.[5]

References
  1. "Matt Symons itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". Its Rugby. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  2. "Chiefs sign English lock from Canterbury". ESPN Sports. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  3. "London Irish have signed English-born lock forward Matt Symons from Super Rugby side Waikato Chiefs". Sky Sports. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  4. "HARLEQUINS SIGN SECOND ROW MATT SYMONS". Quins. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  5. "Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 38-40 Harlequins - Louis Lynagh's late double clinches title". BBC. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.


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