Matthew Rea
Rea playing for Ulster, 2019
Date of birth (1993-09-21) 21 September 1993
Place of birthBallymena, Northern Ireland
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight114 kg (18.0 st; 251 lb)
SchoolBallymena Academy
Notable relative(s)Marcus Rea (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8
Current team Ulster
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Ballymena ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Ulster 86 (25)
Correct as of 13 January 2024[1]

Matthew Rea (born 21 September 1993) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays for Ulster as a back row forward.

He was educated at Ballymena Academy, and helped the school win the 2010 Ulster Schools' Cup final.[2] He represented Ireland at under-19 level in 2011,[3] but was not offered a place in the Ulster Academy when he left school.[4] His performances for Ballymena in the All-Ireland League led to Ulster offering him a development contract ahead of the 2016–17 season.[5] He made his first professional rugby and Ulster appearance in September 2017 against the Cheetahs.[6] He made 18 appearances, including one start,[1] 111 tackles, 6 turnovers, and 24 lineouts won, in 2017–18;[7] nine appearances, and one start, in 2018–19; 19 appearances, and 14 starts, in 2019–20; 14 appearances, and 10 starts in 2020–21; and 10 appearances, including 7 starts, in 2021–22.[1]

His younger brother Marcus, also a back row forward, made his debut for Ulster in 2018.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Playing stats at ItsRugby.co.uk
  2. ↑ "Ballymena Academy 10-7 BRA", BBC Sport, 17 March 2010
  3. ↑ "Ulster U19 teams named for weekend fixtures", Ulster Rugby, 22 September 2011
  4. ↑ "Marcus Rea discusses scoring on Ulster debut alongside brother Matthew". Belfast Telegraph. 29 April 2019.
  5. ↑ Adam McKendry, "Ulster Rugby squad 2016/17", Belfast Live, 24 November 2016
  6. ↑ "Rea keen to make most of first team opportunity", 18 September 2017
  7. ↑ Matty Rea Player Profile, UlsterRugby.com, archived on 14 August 2018
  8. ↑ "Marcus Rea scores game-winning try on debut as Ulster win dead rubber over Leinster". Belfast Telegraph. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.


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