WARRIORS have added a considerable amount of bulk to their midfield options by signing English-born centre Andy Symons from New Zealand side the Tasman Makos.

Standing at 6ft 5ins and weigning in at 17 stones, the former Leicester Tigers trialist will certainly provide some go-forward for Dean Ryan’s Worcester back-line.

Symons, who hails from Hertfordshire, first started playing for Saracens Amateurs and Old Albanians, before training with Sarries’ academy.

The giant centre then moved to New Zealand where he came under the wing of former All Black Aaron Mauger at Christchurch club High School Old Boys.

After Mauger noticed the young centre’s talents, Leicester had a look at Symons, who linked up with the Welford Road club and featured in several LV= Cup games for the Tigers.

The Englishman has played regularly at 10, 12 and 13 in his career, but is most comfortable at inside-centre where he is a strong ball-carrier and long-range goal-kicker.

Warriors have also brought in 18-year-old lock Shay Kerry, who will join the Sixways academy set-up.

Director of rugby 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.”

Kerry, born in Folkestone, was part of the Millwall Football Club academy, before he also moved to New Zealand in 2007, where he attained a football scholarship with Otago Grammar School.

He played for New Zealand under 17s in football before a coach from his school asked him to play rugby.

After making the school’s first XV, Kerry progressed into the New Zealand development side and he also played for West Harbour under 20s.

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