| Matthew Rea | |
| Birth Date: | 1993 9, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
| Weight: | 114kg (251lb) |
| Ru Currentteam: | Ulster |
| Ru Position: | Flanker, Number 8 |
| Amatteam1: | Ballymena |
| Years1: | 2017– |
| Clubs1: | Ulster |
| Apps1: | 100 |
| Points1: | 30 |
| Ru Clubupdate: | 8 June 2024[1] |
| Relatives: | Marcus Rea (brother) |
| School: | Ballymena Academy |
Matthew Rea (born 21 September 1993) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays for Ulster as a back row forward.
He was educated at Ballymena Academy, and helped the school win the 2010 Ulster Schools' Cup final.[2] He represented Ireland at under-19 level in 2011,[3] but was not offered a place in the Ulster Academy when he left school.[4] His performances for Ballymena in the All-Ireland League led to Ulster offering him a development contract ahead of the 2016–17 season.[5] He made his first professional rugby and Ulster appearance in September 2017 against the Cheetahs.[6] He made 18 appearances, including one start,[1] 111 tackles, 6 turnovers, and 24 lineouts won, in 2017–18;[7] nine appearances, and one start, in 2018–19; 19 appearances, and 14 starts, in 2019–20; 14 appearances, and 10 starts in 2020–21; and 10 appearances, including 7 starts, in 2021–22. He made his 100th appearance for the province in the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship quarter-final.[8]
His younger brother Marcus, also a back row forward, made his debut for Ulster in 2018.[9]