ANOTHER key player at London Irish has left following the club's relegation from the Aviva Premiership.

Highly-rated second-row Matt Symons has utilised a clause in his contract allowing him to leave should the Exiles lose their top-flight status.

The 26-year-old lock has immediately sealed a return to the Premiership after being snapped up by Wasps today.

The news is another blow to Exiles supporters and the club refused to hide their own frustrations following the exodus of players in recent weeks.

Irish head of operations, Glenn Delaney, stated: “We are disappointed that Matt has decided to leave the club and pursue other playing opportunities.

“He has been a consistent performer for us and we wish him well for the future.”

Symons spent three years in New Zealand with Super Rugby side Waikato Chiefs before joining Exiles last season.

He made 23 appearances for the Madejski Stadium-based club, many as captain, and was often their stand-out performer.

Symons said: “I have really enjoyed my time at London Irish and I’m very grateful for the opportunity of playing for the club.

“There are some outstanding players and people at the club and I’m sure they will be back in the Aviva Premiership in 2017.”

But Irish now face a mammoth rebuilding job over the summer as they bid to bounce back to the Aviva Premiership at the first attempt.

Last week head coach Tom Coventry left the club by mutual agreement to return to his homeland, New Zealand, 'for family reasons'.

Coventry said: “London Irish is in a good place to bounce immediately back into the top tier of English rugby. The club has recruited well with a sound balance of experience and youth supported by an excellent academy programme.

"I wish the club all the best in their future direction and drive for Premiership status.”

Coventry enjoyed a successful coaching career in Super Rugby with the Chiefs and internationally with Samoa. But he failed to make the same impact at Irish as they finished bottom of the Aviva Premiership table last season.

Coventry's assistant coach, Richard Wiffin, had also left Irish after 11 years due to cost-cutting measures, along with fellow coach, Grant Doorey.

Exiles chief executive Bob Casey explained: "Having undertaken a review of the past season, and given his family situation, our discussions with Tom have resulted in agreement that it is in his best interests to return to New Zealand.

"We thank him for his efforts over the past season and wish him and his family well for the future.”

In a further blow to Irish, talented backs Alex Lewington and Theo Brophy-Clews have both had surgery following serious injury while on international duty with England Saxons and England U20s respectively.

Lewington is likely to miss the majority of next season, while Brophy-Clews will be sidelined for several months.

In addition, Exiles captain George Skivington, 33, was forced to retire from rugby last week due to a shoulder injury.

He became the fourth Exiles player to retire since the end of last season after Andrew Fenby, Tom Guest and Geoff Cross.

However, Irish have made one new signing recently with the arrival of former Exeter Chiefs loanee Jerry Sexton on a one-year permanent deal.