Marcus Rea

{{short description|Irish rugby union player}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Marcus Rea

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1997|9|8}}

| birth_place = Glarryford, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

| height = {{height|m=1.88}}

| weight = {{convert|109|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}

| ru_position = Back-row

| amatyears1 = 20??–

| amatteam1 = Ballymena

| amatapps1 =

| amatpoints1 =

| amatyears2 = 2021-24

| amatteam2 = Ballynahinch

| amatapps2 = 8

| amatpoints2 = 5

| years1 = 2019–

| clubs1 = Ulster

| apps1 = 54

| points1 = 30

| ru_clubupdate = 20 December 2024[https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/marcus-rea-40389.html Playing stats at ItsRugby.co.uk]

| repyears1 =

| repteam1 =

| repcaps1 =

| reppoints1 =

| ru_ntupdate =

| spouse =

| children =

| relatives = Matty Rea (brother)

| school = Ballymena Academy

| university =

}}

Marcus Rea (born 8 September 1997) is an Irish rugby union player who plays in the back row for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup.

He was captain at Ballymena Academy, and captained the Ulster under-19 team in 2016.[https://www.northernirelandworld.com/sport/sponsorship-boost-as-academy-embark-on-schools-cup-quest-2179346 "Sponsorship boost as Academy embark on Schools' Cup quest"], Northern Ireland World, 25 February 2016 He joined the Ulster Academy ahead of the 2016–17 season;[https://www.irishrugby.ie/2016/09/05/ulster-finalise-academy-squad-for-2016-17/ "Ulster Finalise Academy Squad For 2016/17"], Irish Rugby, 5 September 2016 his older brother Matty joined the senior team on a development contract the same season.Adam McKendry, [https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby-squad-201617-12145879 "Ulster Rugby squad 2016/17"], Belfast Live, 24 November 2016 He made his senior competitive debut for Ulster in their 14–13 win against provincial rivals Leinster in round 21 of the 2018–19 Pro14 on 27 April 2018. Rea replaced Sean Reidy after just 15 minutes and joined his brother in the back-row, before scoring a crucial try in the 60th minute, converted by Peter Nelson, to secure victory for the Ulstermen, and winning the Man-of-the-Match award.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/marcus-rea-scores-gamewinning-try-on-debut-as-ulster-win-dead-rubber-over-leinster-38055747.html|title=Marcus Rea scores game-winning try on debut as Ulster win dead rubber over Leinster|date=27 April 2019|work=Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=29 April 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/dream-come-true-marcus-rea-discusses-scoring-on-ulster-debut-alongside-brother-matthew-38058360.html|title='Dream come true': Marcus Rea discusses scoring on Ulster debut alongside brother Matthew.|date=29 April 2019|work=Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=29 April 2019}} He signed a development contract ahead of the 2019–20 season,[https://ulster.rugby/content/nine-academy-players-earn-upgraded-contracts "Nine Academy players earn upgraded contracts"], Ulster Rugby, 3 June 2019 but broke his jaw playing for Ballynahinch in the All-Ireland League in November 2019[https://ulster.rugby/content/squad-update-19-nov-2019 "Squad Update - 19 Nov 2019"], Ulster Rugby, 19 November 2019 and didn't make his second appearance for Ulster until October 2020.[https://www.the42.ie/marcus-rea-ulster-injury-return-jaw-5242206-Oct2020/ "Marcus Rea up and running again for Ulster after injury and ice-cream"], The 42, 24 October 2020 He made 7 appearances, including four starts, in 2020–21, but he established himself in the team in the 2021–22 season, in which he made 19 appearances and 15 starts, including starting in all six of Ulster's Champions Cup matches. He signed a new contract in February 2022.Paul McIntyre, [https://www.irishnews.com/sport/rugbyunion/2022/02/03/news/ulster-s-marcus-rea-delivering-on-his-rich-promise-2578159/ "Ulster's Marcus Rea delivering on his rich promise"], The Irish News, 3 February 2022