Wasps lock Matt Symons has expressed his delight at being given a second chance in the Aviva Premiership after suffering relegation with London Irish, admitting that he will have to earn his way into the Wasps starting XV.
A poor season at the Madejski Stadium put a hold to any England aspirations that Symons might have had, finishing a disappointing Exiles campaign bottom of the league.
Symons spoke to the Rugby Paper, saying:
It was a pretty tough year for all of us – players and management.
It was a big learning curve for me and you feel sorry for people like Tom Coventry and Glenn Delaney, who had a huge influence on my career but have now gone.
It was a tough couple of months at the end of the season and I was really fortunate that Dai Young approached me and offered me a place at Wasps.
Symons will have to battle for his position, fighting the likes of Bradley Davies for a regular starting spot. The 26-year-old has experience in the Super League, a trait which many other Wasps players share.
The coaches at Wasps want us to use the ball from different parts of the field while keeping a balance and not going too far off the cuff.
If the opportunity’s on we’ll look to take it and, hopefully, there’ll be some exciting rugby played up here in Coventry.
Symons could make his debut for Wasps in a pre-season friendly at the Ricoh Arena against Championship side Yorkshire Carnegie on August 28.
