Matthew English (born 14 November 1997) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop forward for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League and the England Knights at international level.

Matty English
Personal information
Full nameMatthew English
Born (1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 26)
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight16 st 1 lb (102 kg)
Playing information
PositionProp, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017– Huddersfield Giants 121 9 0 0 36
2018(loan) Dewsbury Rams 5 0 0 0 0
2024(loan) Castleford Tigers 4 0 0 0 0
Total 130 9 0 0 36
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019–22 England Knights 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]
As of 15 July 2024

He has spent time on loan from Huddersfield at the Dewsbury Rams in the Championship and at the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

Background

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English was born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

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Huddersfield Giants

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English is a product of the Huddersfield Giants' academy system and is nicknamed 'the Polar Bear'.[3][4]

On 23 April 2017, he made his first team debut for Huddersfield against the Swinton Lions in the Challenge Cup.[5]

On 28 May 2022, English played for Huddersfield in their 2022 Challenge Cup final loss against the Wigan Warriors.[6]

English played 19 games for Huddersfield in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished ninth on the table and missed the playoffs.[7]

Castleford Tigers (loan)

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On 12 June 2024, it was announced that English would sign for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League on loan.[8] He joined on an initial two-week deal, rolling week to week thereafter.[9] He made four appearances for the Tigers, with head coach Craig Lingard expressing the club's desire to keep him as long as possible.[10][11] Huddersfield announced his recall on 15 July.[12]

International career

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He represented England academy on tour to Australia[4]

In 2019 Matty was called into the England Knights squad along with 3 other Giants players.[13]

In 2019 he was selected for the England Knights against Jamaica at Headingley Rugby Stadium.[14]

References

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  1. ^ RL Record Keepers' Club
  2. ^ Rugby League Project
  3. ^ Walker, Gareth (7 March 2018). "Meet Matty English - The Giant "Polar Bear" who has all the traits of England front rower James Graham". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Huddersfield Giants player profile: Matty English". Huddersfield Giants. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Challenge Cup: Huddersfield Giants 24-28 Swinton Lions". BBC Sport. 23 April 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  6. ^ Hafez, Shamoon (28 May 2022). "Challenge Cup final: Huddersfield Giants 14-16 Wigan Warriors". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  7. ^ Walker, Callum (29 September 2023). "Ian Watson explains why Huddersfield Giants underperformed in Super League 2023". TotalRL. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  8. ^ Craven, David (13 June 2024). "Matty English opens up on shock Huddersfield Giants exit and reasons for axe". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  9. ^ Harber, Tony (12 June 2024). "Castleford Tigers bring in prop forward Matty English on loan from Huddersfield Giants". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  10. ^ Bower, Aaron (8 July 2024). "Super League clubs step up interest in Huddersfield Giants forward". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  11. ^ Shaw, Matthew (11 July 2024). "Castleford Tigers have ideal Matty English solution but hands tied by external factors". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  12. ^ Walker, Callum (15 July 2024). "Castleford Tigers loanee recalled by parent Super League club". TotalRL. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  13. ^ https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/huddersfield-giants/huddersfield-giants-quartet-are-selected-for-england-knights-squad-1-9674104 [dead link]
  14. ^ "England Knights vs Jamaica". WWOS. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
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