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.

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.


Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Dalton
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