Matthew Dalton
Matthew Dalton (born 16 November 1998) is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for Pro14 and European Rugby Champions Cup side Ulster. He plays primarily as a lock, but can also play as a flanker, and represents Malone in the All-Ireland League.
Date of birth | 16 November 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Place of birth | Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 112 kg (17.6 st; 247 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Belfast Royal Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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]
Ulster
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]
Ireland
Dalton was selected for the Ireland under-20's squad for the 2018 Six Nations Under 20s Championship,[6] and made his debut for the side in their opening round 34–24 defeat against France on 2 February 2018,[7] before going on to start against Scotland[8] and England.[9] Dalton was also selected in the under-20s squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship,[10] starting against Georgia[11] and Scotland.[12]
References
- "'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.
- "Who are the Ulster Academy stars set for senior debuts against Benetton Treviso?". Belfast Telegraph. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "Abbey Insurance Academy Profile: Matthew Dalton". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "Academy trio set for senior debut". Ulster Rugby. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "Ulster 23 Benetton Rugby 22". Ulster Rugby. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "Ireland name 32-man squad for U20 Six Nations". The42. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "Ntamack at the double for France Under-20s against Ireland". Six Nations Rugby. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "O'Sullivan double fires Ireland Under-20s to victory". Six Nations Rugby. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "England Under-20s beat Ireland but miss out on title". Six Nations Rugby. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "Doris Joins Fellow Captains To Launch World Rugby U-20 Championship". Irish Rugby. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "Ireland U-20s' Losing Run Continues As They Go Down To Impressive Georgia". Irish Rugby. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- "Defensive Lapses Cost Ireland U-20s As Scotland Enjoy Six-Try Success". Irish Rugby. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.