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Matt Gallagher (rugby union)

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Matt Gallagher
Birth nameMatthew Abramo Gallagher
Date of birth (1996-10-26) 26 October 1996 (age 28)
Place of birthSidcup, England
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight96 kg (15.1 st; 212 lb)
SchoolColfe's School
Notable relative(s)John Gallagher (father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2020 Saracens 44 (45)
2015–2016 → Old Albanians (loan) 16 (84)
2016–2018 → Bedford Blues (loan) 10 (15)
2020–2022 Munster 13 (15)
2022–2024 Bath 44 (50)
2024– Benetton 0 (0)
Correct as of 5 July 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016 England U20 4 (0)
2024– Italy 1 (0)
Correct as of 5 July 2024

Matthew Abramo Gallagher (born 26 October 1996) is a professional rugby union player for Benetton Rugby in the United Rugby Championship. His primary position is fullback, though can also play on either wing. Gallagher's father is John Gallagher, who won the 1987 Rugby World Cup with New Zealand.[1]

Born in England, Gallagher plays internationally for Italy who he qualifies for through his mother.

Professional career

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Gallagher made his senior competitive debut for Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against Welsh side Ospreys in November 2014.[2][3] He was voted the Saracens Academy Player of the Year following strong performances for Saracens Storm during the 2015–16 Premiership Rugby A-League, as well as helping loan club Old Albanian secure promotion to National League 1 after winning the 2015–16 National League 2 South play-offs.[1] He joined Bedford Blues as a dual-registered player ahead of the 2016–17 RFU Championship season, though he was soon called into action for Saracens.[2]

Gallagher joined Irish United Rugby Championship side Munster on a two-year contract from the 2020–21 season,[4] and made his competitive debut for the province in their 2020–21 Pro14 round two fixture against Scottish side Edinburgh on 10 October 2020, which Munster won 25–23.[5] Gallagher scored his first tries for Munster in their 28–16 win against Dragons on 1 November 2020.[6]

Gallagher returned to England to join Premiership Rugby club Bath, where Munster head coach Johann van Graan and defence coach JP Ferreira also joined, ahead of the 2022–23 season.[7] His last appearance for Bath saw him start in the 2024 Premiership final which they lost against Northampton Saints to finish runners up.[8]

Gallagher signed with Italian United Rugby Championship club Benetton a three-year contract from the 2024–25 season.[3][9] He made his debut in Round 2 of the 2024–25 season against the Glasgow Warriors.[10]

International career

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Through his father, former New Zealand international John, Gallagher is qualified to play for Ireland, as his paternal grandfather and grandmother are from Derry and Limerick respectively, but not New Zealand, for whom John qualified through residency.[11] Matt Gallagher is also eligible for Italy due to a maternal grandparent.[12]

Gallagher represented the nation of his birth at youth level. He was selected for England under-20 at the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship and started in the 45–21 win against Ireland in the final as England lifted the trophy.[1][13]

Gallagher was included in the Italy squad for their 2024 mid-year rugby union tests.[14][15] On 5 July 2024 he made his debut for Italy starting at fullback against Samoa at Apia Park.[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Young Gun: Matt Gallagher – England U20s full-back". The Rugby Paper. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Matt Gallagher Saracens Profile". Saracens FC. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Bath Rugby: Matt Gallagher to join Italian club Benetton from next season". BBC Sport. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Munster Sign De Allende, Gallagher And Snyman". Munster Rugby. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Report | Brilliant Late Win For Munster". Munster Rugby. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Report | Munster Make It Four From Four Against Dragons". Munster Rugby. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Munster fullback and Ulster native joining van Graan in Bath next season". The42. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  8. ^ Hurcom, Sophie (8 June 2024). "Northampton hold off 14-man Bath in Premiership final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  9. ^ "MATT GALLAGHER È UN NUOVO ACQUISTO DEL BENETTON RUGBY". 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  10. ^ "A GLASGOW IL BENETTON RUGBY PERDE 42-10". Benetton Rugby. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Report: Munster In Talks To Sign Irish-Qualified Saracens Fullback". Balls.ie. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Matt Gallagher named in Italy's Summer tour training squad". Bath Rugby. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  13. ^ Fallon, John (25 June 2016). "Dominant England blow Ireland away in U20 World Cup final". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  14. ^ "New Benetton signing Matt Gallagher makes his debut for Italy against Samoa". X. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  15. ^ Italrugby, gli Azzurri convocati per il Summer Tour 2024 "Italyrugby: gli azzurri convocati per il Summer Tour 2024". F.I.R. Rugby. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  16. ^ "July Rugby Tests, Week 1: Team lineups, predictions, news". ESPN. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Samoa upsets Italy 33-25 in first game under new coach Schwalger". Yahoo!. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
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