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 (age 31)
Place of birth	Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	114 kg (18.0 st; 251 lb)
School	Ballymena 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 113 (30) Correct as of 9 May 2025[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] He made his 100th appearance for the province in the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship quarter-final.^[8] He will leave Ulster at the end of the 2024-25 season.^[9]

His younger brother Marcus, also a back row forward, made his debut for Ulster in 2018.^[10]