Mat Protheroe

Mat Protheroe
Protheroe playing for Bristol
BornMathew John Protheroe
(1996-10-10) 10 October 1996
Swansea, Wales
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight11 st 7 lb (73 kg)
SchoolHartpury College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Fullback
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2015 Hartpury RFC
2024–2025 Hartpury RFC 7 (15)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2017 Gloucester 4 (0)
2017–2020, 2025 Bristol Bears 38 (64)
2020–2024 Ospreys 42 (37)
2024 Hawke's Bay 8 (25)
Correct as of 27 December 2025
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 England U18 1 (0)
2016-2017 England U20 5 (21)
Correct as of 24 October 2021

Mathew John Protheroe (born 10 October 1996)[1] is a Welsh rugby union player, who most recently played as a fullback for Bristol Bears in the Champ Rugby competition.[2]

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.[3][4]

He made his Aviva Premiership A League debut for Gloucester against the Sale Jets in January 2015 at the age of 18.[4][5]

On 27 May 2015, Protheroe signed his first professional contract with Gloucester Rugby, despite attraction from other top Premiership clubs.[4] However, he left early by mutual agreement to join local rivals Bristol Rugby in the RFU Championship from the 2017–18 season.[6]

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.[7] He produced a man-of-the-match performance in their 21–5 victory over France.[8]

On 26 February 2020, the Ospreys announced the signing of Protheroe from Bristol for the 2020–21 season.[9]

On 29 July 2024, Protheroe was named in the Hawke's Bay squad for the 2024 season of New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.[10] He played eight games for the province.

Protheroe then returned to England where he played for Hartpury RFC in the 2024–25 Premiership Rugby Cup and 2024–25 RFU Championship.[11]

In October 2025, he signed a short-term deal with Bristol Bears for rounds 3 and 4 of the 2025–26 PREM Rugby Cup and a game against Argentina XV.[2][12]

References

  1. ^ "Mat Protheroe profile". ESPNscrum. ESPN. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Wales scrum half Ellis Bevan joins as injury cover". Bristol Bears (Press release). 28 October 2025. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Mat Protheroe: Gloucester sign Hartpury College fly-half". BBC Sport. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "RUGBY: Hartpury starlet Mat Protheroe signs for Gloucester". Stroud News & Journal. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  5. ^ "The Welsh wonderkid from Swansea who will play number 10 for England this weekend". Wales Online. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Bristol: Chris Vui, Sam Bedlow, Mat Protheroe & Dan Thomas join relegated club". BBC Sport. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "England U18 beat France 21-5 in Doncaster". England Rugby. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  9. ^ "Mat Protheroe: Ospreys sign versatile back from Bristol Bears". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Magpies 2024 NPC squad confirmed". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union (Press release). 29 July 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Matt Protheroe player profile". itsrugby.co.uk. 2025. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  12. ^ "Team news: Bristol Bears vs Argentina XV". Bristol Bears (Press release). 6 November 2025. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
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