Matt Worley

Matt Worley (born 6 September 1997) is a Hong Konger professional rugby union player currently playing for the Bedford Blues in the English RFU Championship. He plays at the fullback and wing positions. Since 2016 Worley has competed for Hong Kong at international level. First with the under-20 side in the 2016 and 2017 World Rugby U20 Trophy, before making his debut for the Hong Kong senior side in 2022.[1][2]

Matt Worley
Birth nameMatthew Worley
Date of birth (1997-09-06) 6 September 1997
Place of birthPlymouth, Devon, England
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight84 kg (13 st 3 lb; 185 lb)
SchoolSouth Island School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing, Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2018 Racing 92 1 (0)
2018–2019 Northampton Saints 2 (0)
2018– Bedford Blues 68 (155)
Correct as of 19 March 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2017 Hong Kong U20 7 (26)
2022– Hong Kong 3 (15)
Correct as of 23 July 2022

Background

Worley moved to Hong Kong aged five due to his father's work commitments. He began playing rugby in the Hong Kong Football Club's Mini Rugby programme. He attended South Island School where he played secondary school rugby.[3] Appearing for Hong Kong at age group level, he played the majority of his junior career at scrum half. Worley represented Hong Kong at under 16, 18 and under 20 level.[4]

Club career

Whilst playing junior and schools rugby in Hong Kong, Worley was offered the opportunity to spend four weeks with Racing 92. Primarily a PR stunt, the arrangement was facilitated by joint sponsor for Racing 92 and the Hong Kong Football Club Rugby Section, Natixis.[5] The youngster quickly impressed and stayed with Racing 92 on an academy contract. He moved from scrum half to full back after language barriers prevented him from effectively managing the 9 position.[6]

Worley featured for the Racing Espoirs during their title winning under-23's French league campaign.[7] His success with the Racing development team earned him his first senior contract with the club in 2017.[8] Worley's senior debut came during Racing's Natixis Rugby Cup bout against Cell C Sharks.[9] Racing lost the game, 31–14.[10]

In May 2018, it was announced that Worley had signed to the Northampton Saints senior academy.[11] He made his senior debut for the club in a game against Bristol Bears in the Premiership Rugby Cup.[12] His debut makes Worley the 1998th Northampton Saint.[13] In March 2019, it was announced that Worley will leave Northampton Saints.[14] During the 2018/2019 season Worley was dual registered with Bedford Blues where he made 8 appearances scoring 5 tries. In March 2019, it was announced that Worley had signed with Bedford Blues ahead of the 2019/2020 season.[15]

References
  1. Tucker, Jim (23 July 2022). "Tonga qualify for 2023 Rugby World Cup with comfortable 44–22 win over Hong Kong". South China Morning Post.
  2. "Tonga secure World Cup qualification". ESPNscrum. 23 July 2022.
  3. "Are children better off now than they were 25 years ago? | Young Post | South China Morning Post". Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  4. Union, Hong Kong Rugby (28 January 2019). "Hong Kong takes another tilt at World Rugby…". Hong Kong Rugby Union. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  5. Verdier, Nick (11 August 2017). "Young Gun: Matt Worley – Racing 92 full-back". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  6. July 2018, Chris Heal Wednesday 4. "From Plymouth via Hong Kong and France, Matt Worley is ready to take his chance in England". Talking Rugby Union. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  7. "Matt Worley (Fullback)". Northampton Saints. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  8. "Matt Worley Signs A Professional Contract With Racing 92". Hkfcrugby.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  9. "Hong Kong U20s star Matt Worley makes senior Racing 92 debut versus Cell C Sharks". Asia Rugby. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  10. "Sharks down Racing 92 in Hong Kong". Sport24.co.za. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  11. "Northampton Saints sign promising Academy back Matt Worley". 29 May 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  12. "Saints starlets given opportunity to make their mark in Premiership Rugby Cup". Northampton Saints. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  13. "List of players" (PDF). Darkroom.northamptonsaints.co.uk. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  14. "Matt Worley to leave Northampton Saints". Northampton Saints. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  15. "BLUES CONFIRM THREE MORE FOR 2019/20 | Bedford Blues". www.bedfordrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
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