SKIPPER Gerrit-Jan van Velze believes centre Andy Symons has a “great opportunity” at Worcester Warriors and is urging him to remain at Sixways.

Fit-again centre Symons is out of contract at Warriors in the summer and believed to be in talks with Aviva Premiership rivals London Irish.

Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan admitted he would be disappointed if Harlow-born Symons turned down a new deal at Sixways in favour of a summer switch to Irish.

“Sometimes people disappoint me and, at other times, they don’t,” said Ryan. “I believe this (Worcester Warriors) is a very good rugby place.

“I understand the challenge we have got and the journey we’re on. I understand when people like Mike Williams go to Leicester and things like that.

“If he (Symons) makes a choice to go to London Irish, I am less understanding of it because I don’t get it.

“But that’s probably a question you need to ask him if it comes to fruition.”

Symons has hit top form for Warriors since returning after eight months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

He has already featured seven times this term.

Warriors sent Symons to a leading rehabilitation specialist in the USA and he returned in December’s European Challenge Cup defeat at Gloucester.

Symons, 24, can play at centre or fly half and has grown into an influential player at Sixways, where he is now a reliable goal-kicker.

Warriors have boosted their midfield for next season, with Leinster’s Ben Te’o and Grenoble’s Jackson Willison both arriving in the summer.

Van Velze, who will be fit for Warriors’ Premiership home clash against Exeter Chiefs on Sunday (3pm), said he wasn’t surprised Symons had been linked with a move to Irish because his brother Matt plays for the club and his parents are from London.

“I am pretty sure he’s played under the coach Tom Coventry in New Zealand, so it doesn’t surprise me at all,” said van Velze.

“But I think we’ve got a great opportunity for him (Symons). He’s played really well and come back from his injury looking sharp.

“He’s a quality player and we want him to stay. I don’t know if he’s made up his mind.

“I’ve no idea when it comes to other players’ contracts. He’s a really good player and we want him to stay.”

Ryan added: “He (Symons) is a good player, a good goal-kicker and we have invested a huge amount of money getting him back to full fitness and putting the right things around him.

“So that would probably just heighten the disappointment if he was to choose elsewhere.”

n More Warriors news, including a new contract for wing Dean Hammond: Page 44.