Matty Rea

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

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 77 (20)
Correct as of 21 October 2023[1]

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. 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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