Matt Whitley(born 20 January 1996) is an Englishrugby leaguefootballer who plays as asecond-rowforward forSt Helensin theSuper Leagueand theEngland Knightsat international level.

Matt Whitley
Personal information
Full nameMatthew Whitley
Born(1996-01-20)20 January 1996(age 28)
St Helens, Merseyside,England
Height6 ft 0 in (1.82 m)
Weight14 st 5 lb (91 kg)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015–18 Widnes Vikings 100 20 0 0 80
2019–23 Catalans Dragons 103 35 0 0 140
2024– St Helens 12 3 0 0 12
Total 215 58 0 0 232
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018– England Knights 3 0 0 0 0
Source:[1][2]
As of 18 October 2023

He previously played for theWidnes VikingsandCatalans Dragonsin theSuper League.

Background

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Whitley was born inBillinge,Merseyside, England.

Career

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Widnes Vikings

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He made his début for Widnes on 10 April 2015 against theWarrington Wolves,and signed a full-time contract with the club two weeks later.[3]

Catalans Dragons

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On 9 October 2021, Whitley played forCatalans Dragonsin their2021 Super League Grand Finaldefeat against St. Helens.[4] On 14 October 2023, Whitley played in Catalans2023 Super League Grand Finalloss againstWigan.[5]

St Helens

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On 18 October 2023, Whitley signed a two-year deal to join his boyhood clubSt Helens.[6] In round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, Whitley made his club debut for St Helens and scored two tries as the club defeated the newly promotedLondon Broncos40-4.[7] Whitley played 20 matches for St Helens in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish sixth on the table.[8]

International career

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In July 2018 he was selected in theEngland KnightsPerformance squad.[9]Later that year he was selected for the England Knights on their tour ofPapua New Guinea.He played againstPapua New Guineaat the Oil Search National Football Stadium.[10]

References

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  1. ^loverugbyleague
  2. ^RLP
  3. ^"Widnes Vikings: Teenage star Matt Whitley signs new three-year deal".BBC Sport.23 April 2015.Retrieved16 May2015.
  4. ^"Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons 10-12 St Helens: Saints win three in a row".BBC Sport.
  5. ^"Wigan Warriors crowned Super League champions after downing Dragons".theguardian.
  6. ^"St Helens make third signing for 2024 in shape of Grand Finalist Matt Whitley from Catalans Dragons".Love Rugby League.18 October 2023.
  7. ^"Super League: St Helens 40-4 London Broncos - Saints thrash promoted side".bbc.co.uk.
  8. ^"'Soul destroying': Warrington eliminate St Helens in golden drop goal thriller ".theguardian.
  9. ^"Ten new additions in England Knights squad".loverugbyleague. 24 July 2018.Retrieved31 October2019.
  10. ^"Papua New Guinea vs England Knights".WWOS. 3 November 2018.Retrieved30 October2019.
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