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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Matthew Dalton? Dalton to meet you.

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Matthew Dalton
Born (1998-11-16) 16 November 1998 (age 27)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height1.97 m (6 ft 5+1⁄2 in)
Weight118 kg (18.6 st; 260 lb)
SchoolBelfast Royal Academy
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock, Flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Malone
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017–2019 Ulster 10 (0)
2021 Utah Warriors 0 (0)
2021–2023 Newcastle Falcons 12 (5)
2023–2025 Soyaux Angoulême 22 (5)
2025–2026 Ulster 14 (5)
2026– Kobe Steelers 0 (0)
Correct as of 28 March 2026
International career
Years Team Apps (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 the Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One (JRLO). A graduate of the Ulster academy, he formerly played for Ulster (2017-19, 2025-26), 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

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Dalton was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland[1] and attended Belfast Royal Academy. Before committing to rugby, he excelled at association football and athletics, particularly the pentathlon.[2] He helped the school to the semi-finals of the 2016 Ulster Schools' Cup, where they lost to Royal Belfast Academical Institution,[3] 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.[4]

Club career

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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.[5][6]

Dalton signed for the Utah Warriors ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season.[7]

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.[8] In 2023 he signed for Soyaux Angoulême in the French Pro D2.[9] He returned to Ulster in January 2025 following a successful trial.[10] He left Ulster at the end of the 2025-26 season,[11] and joined Kobelco Kobe Steelers.[12]

In July 2026, Dalton joined the Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One (JRLO).[1]

International career

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Dalton was selected for the Ireland under-20's squad for the 2018 Six Nations Under 20s Championship,[13] and made his debut for the side in their opening round 34–24 defeat against France on 2 February 2018,[14] before going on to start against Scotland[15] and England.[16] Dalton was also selected in the under-20s squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship,[17] starting against Georgia[18] and Scotland.[19]

References

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  1. 1 2 "コベルコ神戸スティーラーズ、マシュー・ダルトン選手 2026-27シーズン新加入のお知らせ". league-one.jp (in Japanese). Japan Rugby League One. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "'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.
  3. ↑ "Who are the Ulster Academy stars set for senior debuts against Benetton Treviso?". Belfast Telegraph. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  4. ↑ "Abbey Insurance Academy Profile: Matthew Dalton". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  5. ↑ "Academy trio set for senior debut". Ulster Rugby. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "Ulster 23 Benetton Rugby 22". Ulster Rugby. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  7. ↑ "Six new recruits confirmed by Utah for 2021 season". 21 November 2020.
  8. ↑ "Matthew Dalton: Newcastle Falcons sign former Ulster forward". BBC Sport. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Rugby : Matthew Dalton signe au SA XV" (in French). Charente Libre.fr. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Four more players lock in futures with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 16 January 2025
  11. ↑ "Ulster Rugby confirm senior players to leave at end of 2025/26 season", Ulster Rugby, 15 May 2026
  12. ↑ "Lock Matthew Dalton moves to Japan following Ulster departure", The 42, 24 July 2026
  13. ↑ "Ireland name 32-man squad for U20 Six Nations". The42. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "Ntamack at the double for France Under-20s against Ireland". Six Nations Rugby. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  15. ↑ "O'Sullivan double fires Ireland Under-20s to victory". Six Nations Rugby. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  16. ↑ "England Under-20s beat Ireland but miss out on title". Six Nations Rugby. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  17. ↑ "Doris Joins Fellow Captains To Launch World Rugby U-20 Championship". Irish Rugby. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  18. ↑ "Ireland U-20s' Losing Run Continues As They Go Down To Impressive Georgia". Irish Rugby. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  19. ↑ "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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