Marcus Rea

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Marcus Rea
Date of birth (1997-09-08) 8 September 1997 (age 27)
Place of birthGlarryford, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight109 kg (17.2 st; 240 lb)
School Ballymena Academy
Notable relative(s) Matty Rea (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Back-row
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
20??– Ballymena ()
2021-24 Ballynahinch 8 (5)
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2019– Ulster 54 (30)
Correct as of 20 December 2024 [1]

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. [2] He joined the Ulster Academy ahead of the 2016–17 season; [3] his older brother Matty joined the senior team on a development contract the same season. [4] 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. [5] [6] He signed a development contract ahead of the 2019–20 season, [7] but broke his jaw playing for Ballynahinch in the All-Ireland League in November 2019 [8] and didn't make his second appearance for Ulster until October 2020. [9] 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. [1] He signed a new contract in February 2022. [10]

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References

  1. 1 2 Playing stats at ItsRugby.co.uk
  2. ↑ "Sponsorship boost as Academy embark on Schools' Cup quest", Northern Ireland World, 25 February 2016
  3. ↑ "Ulster Finalise Academy Squad For 2016/17", Irish Rugby, 5 September 2016
  4. ↑ Adam McKendry, "Ulster Rugby squad 2016/17", Belfast Live, 24 November 2016
  5. ↑ "Marcus Rea scores game-winning try on debut as Ulster win dead rubber over Leinster". Belfast Telegraph . 27 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "'Dream come true': Marcus Rea discusses scoring on Ulster debut alongside brother Matthew". Belfast Telegraph . 29 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  7. ↑ "Nine Academy players earn upgraded contracts", Ulster Rugby, 3 June 2019
  8. ↑ "Squad Update - 19 Nov 2019", Ulster Rugby, 19 November 2019
  9. ↑ "Marcus Rea up and running again for Ulster after injury and ice-cream", The 42, 24 October 2020
  10. ↑ Paul McIntyre, "Ulster's Marcus Rea delivering on his rich promise", The Irish News, 3 February 2022


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