Youngsters bolster Warriors

Worcester Warriors have bolstered their squad by signing former Tasman Makos centre Andy Symons and lock Shay Kerry.

Symons has joined up with the Warriors first-team this week, while Kerry has signed for the Academy.

Symons, who hails from Hertfordshire, first started playing for Saracens Amateurs and Old Albanians before training with the Saracens Academy.

The giant midfielder moved to New Zealand where he came under the wing of former New Zealand international, Aaron Mauger, at Christchurch club High School Old Boys.

The 22-year-old spent time with Leicester Tigers last year and appeared for the Welford Road club during the Sevens Series in 2012.

Symons has played regularly at flyhalf and centre during his career, but is most comfortable in the No.12 jersey, where he is a strong ball-carrier.

Kerry, who was born in Folkstone, was part of the Millwall Football Club Academy before moving to New Zealand in 2007, where he attained a football scholarship with Otago Grammar School.

He played for the New Zealand Under-17 football team before a coach from his school asked him to play rugby.

The 18-year-old Kerry progressed into the New Zealand rugby development side and, upon leaving school, featured for West Harbour Under-20s.

The youngster has since moved back to Worcester and signed an Academy contract at Warriors.

Warriors Director of Rugby Dean Ryan said: "I am delighted to welcome Andy and Shay to Sixways. 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."