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 Dalton was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and attended Belfast Royal Academy. Before committing to rugby, he excelled at association football and athletics, particularly the pentathlon. He helped the school to the semi-finals of the 2016 Ulster Schools' Cup, where they lost to Royal Belfast Academical Institution, 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.
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.
Dalton signed for the Utah Warriors ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season.
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. In 2023 he signed for Soyaux Angoulême in the French Pro D2. He returned to Ulster in January 2025 following a successful trial."Four more players lock in futures with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 16 January 2025 He left Ulster at the end of the 2025-26 season,"Ulster Rugby confirm senior players to leave at end of 2025/26 season", Ulster Rugby, 15 May 2026 and joined Kobelco Kobe Steelers."Lock Matthew Dalton moves to Japan following Ulster departure", The 42, 24 July 2026
In July 2026, Dalton joined the Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One (JRLO).
International career Dalton was selected for the Ireland under-20's squad for the 2018 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, and made his debut for the side in their opening round 34–24 defeat against France on 2 February 2018, before going on to start against Scotland and England. Dalton was also selected in the under-20s squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, starting against Georgia and Scotland.
References
External links Ulster Academy Profile Pro14 Profile U20 Six Nations Profile