Matthew Dalton

Last updated

Matthew Dalton
Date of birth (1998-11-16) 16 November 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Northern Ireland
Height1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Weight118 kg (18.6 st; 260 lb)
School Belfast Royal Academy
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock, Flanker
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
20??– Malone ()
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2017–2019 Ulster 10 (0)
2021 Utah Warriors 0 (0)
2021–2023 Newcastle Falcons 12 (5)
2023-25 Soyaux Angoulême 22 (5)
2025- Ulster 2 (0)
Correct as of 22 March 2025
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018 Ireland U20 5 (5)
Correct as of 12 June 2018

Matthew Dalton (born 16 November 1998) is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Ulster. A graduate of the Ulster academy, he formerly played for Utah Warriors (2021), Newcastle Falcons (2021-23) and Soyaux Angoulême (2023-25). He plays primarily as a lock, but can also play as a flanker, and represented Malone in the All-Ireland League.

Contents

Early life

Dalton attended Belfast Royal Academy and, before committing to rugby, he excelled at association football and athletics, particularly the pentathlon. [1] He helped the school to the semi-finals of the 2016 Ulster Schools' Cup, where they lost to Royal Belfast Academical Institution, [2] as well as earning representation for Ulster at under-17, under-18 and under-18 level and Ireland at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level. [3]

Club career

Dalton made his senior competitive debut for Ulster in their 23–22 win against Italian side Benetton in round 9 of the 2017–18 Pro14 on 24 November 2017. [4] [5]

Dalton signed for the Utah Warriors ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season. [6]

On 22 June 2021, Dalton returned to the UK to join English side Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership Rugby on a two-year deal from the 2021-22 season. [7] In 2023 he signed for Soyaux Angoulême in the French Pro D2. [8] He returned to Ulster in January 2025 following a successful trial. [9]

International career

Dalton was selected for the Ireland under-20's squad for the 2018 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, [10] and made his debut for the side in their opening round 34–24 defeat against France on 2 February 2018, [11] before going on to start against Scotland [12] and England. [13] Dalton was also selected in the under-20s squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, [14] starting against Georgia [15] and Scotland. [16]

References

  1. ↑ "'He came to the captain's run with a pair of boots for me. I wear them now!'". The42 . 15 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  2. ↑ "Who are the Ulster Academy stars set for senior debuts against Benetton Treviso?". Belfast Telegraph . 23 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  3. ↑ "Abbey Insurance Academy Profile: Matthew Dalton". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  4. ↑ "Academy trio set for senior debut". Ulster Rugby. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  5. ↑ "Ulster 23 Benetton Rugby 22". Ulster Rugby. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "Six new recruits confirmed by Utah for 2021 season". 21 November 2020.
  7. ↑ "Matthew Dalton: Newcastle Falcons sign former Ulster forward". BBC Sport. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "Rugby : Matthew Dalton signe au SA XV" (in French). Charente Libre.fr. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "Four more players lock in futures with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 16 January 2025
  10. ↑ "Ireland name 32-man squad for U20 Six Nations". The42 . 22 January 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "Ntamack at the double for France Under-20s against Ireland". Six Nations Rugby. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  12. ↑ "O'Sullivan double fires Ireland Under-20s to victory". Six Nations Rugby. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  13. ↑ "England Under-20s beat Ireland but miss out on title". Six Nations Rugby. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "Doris Joins Fellow Captains To Launch World Rugby U-20 Championship". Irish Rugby. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  15. ↑ "Ireland U-20s' Losing Run Continues As They Go Down To Impressive Georgia". Irish Rugby. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  16. ↑ "Defensive Lapses Cost Ireland U-20s As Scotland Enjoy Six-Try Success". Irish Rugby. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.


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