Matty Russell

Matthew Russell (born 6 June 1993) is a Scottish professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback or winger for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League and Scotland at international level.

Matty Russell

Personal information
Full name	Matthew Russell
Born	(1993-06-06) 6 June 1993 (age 31)[1] Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Weight	14 st 0 lb (89 kg)[1]
Playing information
Position	Fullback, Wing
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2011–12 Wigan Warriors 2 3 0 0 12 2012(loan) → Hull F.C. 6 0 0 0 0 2013 Gold Coast Titans 0 0 0 0 0 2014–18 Warrington Wolves 96 83 0 0 120 2016(loan) → Swinton Lions 4 1 0 1 5 2018–20 Toronto Wolfpack 40 38 0 0 152 2021 Leigh Centurions 13 4 0 0 16 2022 Toulouse Olympique 21 13 0 0 52 2023–24 Warrington Wolves 15 3 0 0 12 2024(loan) → Hull F.C. 2 1 0 0 4 2024(loan) →Leeds Rhinos 0 0 0 0 0 2025– Wakefield Trinity 0 0 0 0 0 Total 199 146 0 1 373 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2013– Scotland 13 5 0 0 20
Source: [2][3] As of 30 September 2024

He previously played for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League, and on loan from Wigan at Hull F.C. in the top flight. Russell spent a season with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL. He later played for the Warrington Wolves in the Super League, and spent time on loan from Warrington at the Swinton Lions in the Championship. Russell also played for the Toronto Wolfpack in the Championship and the top flight.^[2][3]

Background

Russell was born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland.

Career

Wigan Warriors

Russell's Super League career started with Wigan, playing some games on loan to Hull FC.

Gold Coast Titans

He then agreed a two-year deal with Australian NRL team, the Gold Coast Titans, but returned to England a season later.

Warrington Wolves

On 16 April 2014, the entertaining, fast running Scottish fullback, signed a new three-year deal that would keep him at Warrington until November 2017.^[4]

He played in the 2016 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.^[5][6]

He played in the 2016 Super League Grand Final defeat by Wigan at Old Trafford.^[7]

Toronto Wolfpack

He later signed a two-year deal with Championship club Toronto Wolfpack.^[8]

Leigh Centurions

On 9 November 2020 it was announced that Russell would join Leigh for the 2021 season.^[9]

Toulouse Olympique

On 6 November 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Toulouse Olympique in the Super League^[10] In round 1 of the 2022 Super League season, Russell scored Toulouse Olympique's first ever try in the competition, however it was not enough as they were defeated 42-14 by Huddersfield.^[11]

Warrington Wolves (rejoin)

After Toulouse were relegated from the Super League, Russell signed a contract to join Warrington. Russell played 14 games for Warrington in the 2023 Super League season as Warrington finished sixth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. He played in the clubs elimination playoff loss against St Helens.^[12]

Hull F.C. (loan)

On 27 February 2024 it was reported that he had signed for Hull F.C. in the Super League on loan.^[13]

Leeds Rhinos (loan)

On 16 May 2024 it was reported that he had signed for Leeds Rhinos in the Super League on short-term loan.^[14]

Wakefield Trinity

On 30 Sep 2024 it was reported that he had signed for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League on a 1-year deal.^[15]

International career

Russell was named in the Scotland squad for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.^[16][17] He was one of the star players in the tournament.

In 2016, Russell was part of Scotland's Four Nations campaign, where he scored a try in their second game against England. He also played in the historic game against New Zealand, where Scotland's 18-18 draw saw them become the first 'fourth nation' to earn a point since the Four Nations series inaugurated in 2009.^[18]