Matty Rea

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

{{Infobox rugby biography

|name = Matthew Rea

|image = Matt-rea-2019.jpg

|image_size = 170

|caption = Rea playing for Ulster, 2019

|birth_name =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|9|21}}

|birth_place = Ballymena, Northern Ireland

|height = {{height|m=1.93}}

|weight = {{convert|114|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}

|ru_currentteam = Ulster

|ru_position = Flanker, Number 8

|amatyears1 =

|amatteam1 = Ballymena

|ru_amupdate =

|years1 = 2017–2025

|clubs1 = Ulster

|apps1 = 113

|points1 = 30

|ru_clubupdate = 9 May 2025[https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/matthew-rea-36493.html Playing stats at ItsRugby.co.uk]

|repyears1 =

|repteam1 =

|repcaps1 =

|reppoints1 =

|ru_ntupdate =

|spouse =

|children =

|relatives = Marcus Rea (brother)

|school = Ballymena Academy

|university =

}}

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.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/8573146.stm "Ballymena Academy 10-7 BRA"], BBC Sport, 17 March 2010 He represented Ireland at under-19 level in 2011,[https://ulster.rugby/content/ulster-u19-teams-named-for-weekend-fixtures "Ulster U19 teams named for weekend fixtures"], Ulster Rugby, 22 September 2011 but was not offered a place in the Ulster Academy when he left school.{{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=Marcus Rea discusses scoring on Ulster debut alongside brother Matthew|date=29 April 2019|work=Belfast Telegraph}} His performances for Ballymena in the All-Ireland League led to Ulster offering him a development contract ahead of the 2016–17 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 first professional rugby and Ulster appearance in September 2017 against the Cheetahs.[https://ulster.rugby/content/rea-keen-to-make-most-of-first-team-opportunity "Rea keen to make most of first team opportunity"], 18 September 2017 He made 18 appearances, including one start, 111 tackles, 6 turnovers, and 24 lineouts won, in 2017–18;[https://web.archive.org/web/20180814051531/http://ulsterrugby.com/team/player.php?PlayId=126078#.W3JltoPJwdU Matty Rea Player Profile], UlsterRugby.com, archived on 14 August 2018 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. He made his 100th appearance for the province in the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship quarter-final.Adam McKendry, [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/ulster-confirm-seven-contract-extensions-as-province-finalise-squad-for-next-season/a77028346.html "Ulster confirm seven contract extensions as province finalise squad for next season"], Belfast Telegraph, 13 June 2024 He left Ulster at the end of the 2024-25 season.[https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/eight-players-set-to-leave-ulster-at-the-end-of-the-season/a372285250.html "Eight players set to leave Ulster at the end of the season"], Belfast Telegraph, 22 April 2025

His younger brother Marcus, also a back row forward, made his debut for Ulster in 2018.{{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}}