Matt Gallagher (rugby union)

{{Infobox rugby biography

|name = Matt Gallagher

|image = Matt Gallagher 2024.jpg

|caption =

|birth_name = Matthew Abramo Gallagher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|26|df=y}}

|birth_place = Sidcup, England

|height = {{height|m=1.85}}

|weight = {{convert|96|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}

|position = Fullback, Wing

|years1 = 2014–2020

|clubs1 = Saracens

|apps1 = 44

|points1 = 45

|years2 = 2015–2016

|clubs2 = → Old Albanians (loan)

|apps2 = 16

|points2 = 84

|years3 = 2016–2018

|clubs3 = → Bedford Blues (loan)

|apps3 = 10

|points3 = 15

|years4 = 2020–2022

|clubs4 = Munster

|apps4 = 13

|points4 = 15

|years5 = 2022–2024

|clubs5 = Bath

|apps5 = 44

|points5 = 50

|years6 = 2024–

|clubs6 = Benetton

|apps6 = 0

|points6 = 0

|clubupdate = 5 July 2024

|repyears1 = 2016

|repteam1 = England U20

|repcaps1 = 4

|reppoints1 = 0

|repyears2 = 2024–

|repteam2 = Italy

|repcaps2 = 2

|reppoints2 = 0

|repupdate = 17 November 2024

|spouse =

|children =

|relatives = John Gallagher (father)

|school = Colfe's School

|university =

}}

Matthew Abramo Gallagher (born 26 October 1996) is a professional rugby union player for Benetton Rugby in the United Rugby Championship. His primary position is fullback, though can also play on either wing. Gallagher's father is John Gallagher, who won the 1987 Rugby World Cup with New Zealand.{{cite news|url=https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/25906/young-gun-matt-gallagher-england-u20s-full-back/|title=Young Gun: Matt Gallagher – England U20s full-back|date=27 May 2016|work=The Rugby Paper|accessdate=5 April 2019}}

Born in England, Gallagher plays internationally for Italy who he qualifies for through his mother.

Professional career

Gallagher made his senior competitive debut for Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against Welsh side Ospreys in November 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.saracens.com/squads/matt-gallagher/|title=Matt Gallagher Saracens Profile|work=Saracens FC|accessdate=12 January 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68304260|title=Bath Rugby: Matt Gallagher to join Italian club Benetton from next season|website=BBC Sport|date=15 February 2024|access-date=5 July 2024}} He was voted the Saracens Academy Player of the Year following strong performances for Saracens Storm during the 2015–16 Premiership Rugby A-League, as well as helping loan club Old Albanian secure promotion to National League 1 after winning the 2015–16 National League 2 South play-offs. He joined Bedford Blues as a dual-registered player ahead of the 2016–17 RFU Championship season, though he was soon called into action for Saracens.

Gallagher joined Irish United Rugby Championship side Munster on a two-year contract from the 2020–21 season,{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2020/01/31/munster-sign-de-allende-gallagher-and-snyman/|title=Munster Sign De Allende, Gallagher And Snyman|date=31 January 2020|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=31 January 2020}} and made his competitive debut for the province in their 2020–21 Pro14 round two fixture against Scottish side Edinburgh on 10 October 2020, which Munster won 25–23.{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/report/report-brilliant-late-win-for-munster/|title=Report {{!}} Brilliant Late Win For Munster|date=10 October 2020|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=10 October 2020}} Gallagher scored his first tries for Munster in their 28–16 win against Dragons on 1 November 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/report/report-munster-make-it-four-from-four-against-dragons/|title=Report {{!}} Munster Make It Four From Four Against Dragons|date=1 November 2020|work=Munster Rugby|accessdate=1 November 2020}}

Gallagher returned to England to join Premiership Rugby club Bath, where Munster head coach Johann van Graan and defence coach JP Ferreira also joined, ahead of the 2022–23 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/matt-gallagher-niall-annett-bath-5697459-Mar2022/|title=Munster fullback and Ulster native joining van Graan in Bath next season|date=1 March 2022|work=The42|access-date=5 March 2022}} His last appearance for Bath saw him start in the 2024 Premiership final which they lost against Northampton Saints to finish runners up.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c3ggrkk9d42o|title=Northampton hold off 14-man Bath in Premiership final|first=Sophie|last=Hurcom|website=BBC Sport|date=8 June 2024|access-date=5 July 2024}}

Gallagher signed with Italian United Rugby Championship club Benetton a three-year contract from the 2024–25 season.{{cite news|url= https://benettonrugby.it/matt-gallagher-e-un-nuovo-acquisto-del-benetton-rugby/|title= MATT GALLAGHER È UN NUOVO ACQUISTO DEL BENETTON RUGBY|date=15 February 2024|accessdate=15 February 2024}}

He made his debut in Round 2 of the 2024–25 season against the Glasgow Warriors.{{cite news|url=https://benettonrugby.it/a-glasgow-il-benetton-rugby-perde-42-10/|title=A GLASGOW IL BENETTON RUGBY PERDE 42-10|work=Benetton Rugby|date=27 September 2024|access-date=27 September 2024}}

International career

Matt Gallagher is eligible for Italy due to a maternal grandparent.{{cite news |url=https://www.bathrugby.com/content/matt-gallagher-named-in-italys-summer-tour-training-squad|title=Matt Gallagher named in Italy's Summer tour training squad|website=Bath Rugby|date=13 June 2024|access-date=3 July 2024}} Through his father, former New Zealand international John, Gallagher is qualified to play for Ireland, as his paternal grandfather and grandmother are from Derry and Limerick respectively, but not New Zealand, for whom John qualified through residency.{{cite news|url=https://www.balls.ie/rugby/matt-gallagher-saracens-munster-424137|title=Report: Munster In Talks To Sign Irish-Qualified Saracens Fullback|date=12 January 2020|work=Balls.ie|accessdate=12 January 2020}} He is also eligible for England, having been born there.

Gallagher represented the nation of his birth at youth level. He was selected for England under-20 at the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship and started in the 45–21 win against Ireland in the final as England lifted the trophy.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/dominant-england-blow-ireland-away-in-u20-world-cup-final-34833585.html|title=Dominant England blow Ireland away in U20 World Cup final|first=John|last=Fallon|website=Irish Independent|date=25 June 2016|access-date=24 March 2019}}

Gallagher was included in the Italy squad for their 2024 mid-year rugby union tests.{{cite news|url=https://x.com/URCOfficial/status/1808522569290539023|title=New Benetton signing Matt Gallagher makes his debut for Italy against Samoa|date=3 July 2024|work=X|accessdate=3 July 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://federugby.it/italrugby-gli-azzurri-convocati-per-il-summer-tour-2024/ Italrugby, gli Azzurri convocati per il Summer Tour 2024|title=Italyrugby: gli azzurri convocati per il Summer Tour 2024|date=5 July 2024|work=F.I.R. Rugby|accessdate=5 July 2024}} On 5 July 2024 he made his debut for Italy starting at fullback against Samoa at Apia Park.{{cite news|url=https://africa.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/40440498/july-rugby-tests-week-one-line-ups-team-news-predictions-tips|title=July Rugby Tests, Week 1: Team lineups, predictions, news|date=5 July 2024|work=ESPN|accessdate=5 July 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/samoa-upsets-italy-33-25-105409433.html|title=Samoa upsets Italy 33-25 in first game under new coach Schwalger|date=5 July 2024|work=Yahoo!|accessdate=5 July 2024}}