Mat Protheroe
Mathew John Protheroe (born 10 October 1996)[1] is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a fly-half or fullback for Ospreys.[2]
 Protheroe playing for Bristol | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | Mathew John Protheroe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 10 October 1996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Swansea, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 11 st 7 lb (73 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hartpury College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born in Swansea, he was educated at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, and was praised for his performances for Hartpury RFC in the 2014–15 season, scoring seven tries in 14 appearances in National League 1.
He made his Aviva Premiership A League debut for Gloucester against the Sale Jets in January 2015 at the age of 18.
On 27 May 2015, Protheroe signed his first professional contract with Gloucester Rugby, despite attraction from other top Premiership clubs.[3] However, he left early by mutual agreement to join local rivals Bristol Rugby in the RFU Championship from the 2017–18 season.[4]
On 22 February 2015, Protheroe was selected for England U18s, qualifying for England age group sides by virtue of playing for an English club, despite having no family or residential qualification for England.[5] He produced a man-of-the-match performance in their 21–5 victory over France.[6]
On 26 February 2020, the Ospreys announced the signing of Protheroe from Bristol for the 2020–21 season.[2]
References
- "Mat Protheroe profile". ESPNscrum. ESPN. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- "Mat Protheroe: Ospreys sign versatile back from Bristol Bears". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- "Mat Protheroe: Gloucester sign Hartpury College fly-half". BBC Sport. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
- "Bristol: Chris Vui, Sam Bedlow, Mat Protheroe & Dan Thomas join relegated club". BBC Sport. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
- Thomas, Simon (31 August 2017). "'Why I chose to play for England'... the Welsh rugby prodigy lost by Wales who could yet be poached back". Wales Online.
- "England U18 beat France 21-5 in Doncaster". England Rugby. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.