View source for Matt Perry (rugby union)

{{short description|British Lions & England international rugby union player}}
{{other people|Matthew Perry}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{infobox rugby biography
| name            = Matt Perry
| image           =Matt Perry and Wiltshire Air Ambulance.jpg
| image_size      = 
| caption         =Matt Perry and Wiltshire Air Ambulance 
| alt             = 
| birth_name      = Matthew Brendan Perry
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|1|27}}
| birth_place     = [[Bath, Somerset]], England
| death_date      = 
| death_place     = 
| height          = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
| weight          = {{convert|13|st|12|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| school          = [[Millfield School]]
| relatives       = Idris Perry, Brendan Perry
| ru_currentteam  = 
| position        = [[Fullback (rugby union)|Full Back]]
| youthyears1     = 
| youthclubs1     = 
| years1          = 1997–2006
| clubs1          = [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]
| apps1           = 221
| points1         = 561
| ru_clubupdate   = 
| provinceyears1  = 
| province1       = 
| provinceapps1   = 
| provincepoints1 = 
| superyears1     = 
| super1          = 
| superapps1      = 
| superpoints1    = 
| repyears1       = 1997–2001
| repyears2       = 2001
| repteam1        = [[England national rugby union team|England]]
| repteam2        = [[British & Irish Lions|Lions]]
| repcaps1        = 36
| repcaps2        = 3
| reppoints1      = 50
| reppoints2      = 0
| ru_ntupdate     = 
| repsevensyears1 = 
| repsevenscomp1  = 
| coachyears1     = 
| coachteams1     = 
| refereeyears1   = 
| refereecomps1   = 
| refereeapps1    =  
}}

'''Matthew Brendan Perry''' (born 27 January 1977 in [[Bath, Somerset]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/12708.html|title=Matt Perry|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> is an English former [[rugby union]] player who played [[Fullback (rugby union)|fullback]] for [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]. He played internationally for [[England national rugby union team|England]] and the [[British & Irish Lions]].

==Youth and early career==
A cricketer, at [[Millfield School]] Perry captained a side including [[Ben Hollioake]], later an England international.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/meet-men-who-could-played-9036373|title=Meet the men who could have played for Wales but opted for the Red Rose instead...|first=Anthony|last=Woolford|publisher=WalesOnline|date=13 April 2015|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> He made his debut for Bath's first team towards the end of the amateur era in December 1995.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/sport/1289257.injury-forces-perry-to-retire/|title=Injury forces Perry to retire|work=Wiltshire Times|date=27 March 2007|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> Perry went to South Africa to play for the Durban Crusaders' under-21 side for four months in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|title=Champagne style of Perry vintage|first=Robert|last=Armstrong|work=The Guardian|date=13 September 1997|page=A10}} {{ProQuest|188075119}}</ref><ref name=Hands>{{cite news|title=New post lets Perry enjoy life to the full|first=David|last=Hands|work=[[The Times]]|date=22 November 1997|page=35}} {{ProQuest|317873586}}</ref> This caused him to give up a place at [[University College, Cardiff]].<ref name=Hands/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/rugbycup/Story/0,,202421,00.html|title=Battered Perry back for more|first=Robert|last=Kitson|work=The Guardian|date=22 October 1999|accessdate=28 January 2023}}</ref> On returning to the UK, Perry rejoined Bath. He played 221 times for the club before retiring in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ruck.co.uk/baths-greatest-players-is-this-baths-greatest-all-time-xv/|title=Bath's greatest players: Is this Bath's greatest all-time XV?|work=Ruck|date=28 August 2018|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> He played in eight of Bath's nine matches in their winning [[1997–98 Heineken Cup]] campaign, being omitted only from the final against Brive in Bordeaux in favour of [[Jon Callard]], where he was named as a replacement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/jan/13/rugbyunion.comment1|title=Bath hope return to Europe can help widen their horizons|first=Robert|last=Kitson|work=The Guardian|date=13 January 2006|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-perry-waxes-philosophical-after-axe-as-bath-turn-to-callards-trusty-boot-1141422.html|title=Rugby Union: Perry waxes philosophical after axe as Bath turn to Callard's trusty boot|first=Chris|last=Hewitt|work=The Independent|date=28 January 1998|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/4445239.stm|title=Perry aims to open new chapter|first=Ed|last=King|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 April 2005|access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref>

==England rugby==
England coach [[Clive Woodward]], selected Perry for his first match in charge against [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] in the autumn 1997.<ref name=Richards>{{cite news|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/story/69398.html|title=Matthew Perry - One of the good guys|first=Huw|last=Richards|publisher=ESPN|date=28 March 2007|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> Perry was awarded Man of the Match on his debut.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rugby Union World Cup:Perry won't bottle the Fiji air raid|first=Alex|last=Spink|work=Daily Mirror|date=20 October 1999|page=38}} {{ProQuest|338219180}}</ref> In the [[Rugby Football Union]]'s 1997/98 awards, Perry was recognised as the young player of the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/sporting-digest-rugby-union-1158076.html|title=Sporting Digest: Rugby Union|date=22 May 1998|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref>

In 1998, Perry went on [[1998 England rugby union tour of Australasia and South Africa|England's "Tour to Hell"]] of Australia, [[All Blacks|New Zealand]] and [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]]. During the 76–0 defeat by Australia, he played out of position at [[Rugby union positions|centre]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ruck.co.uk/australia-76-0-england-where-are-the-starting-xv-now/|title=Australia 76-0 England: Where Are The Starting XV Now?|work=Ruck|date=10 April 2018|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/23722690/espnscrum-rewind-1998-england-rugby-1998-tour-hell-australia-south-africa-new-zealand|title=England's 1998 Tour from Hell to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand|first=Huw|last=Richards|publisher=EPSN|date=7 June 2018|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> He was part of England's squad for the [[1999 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-world-cup/five-memorable-moments-1999-rugby-world-cup-102479|title=Five memorable moments from the 1999 Rugby World Cup|first=Jacob|last=Whitehead|work=Rugby World|date=14 September 2019|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref>

Aged 23, Perry beat [[Jonathan Webb]]'s record to become England's most capped [[Fullback (rugby union)|full back]] with 35 caps in the position,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/story/0,3604,404283,00.html|title=Perry back as England opt for rotating bench|first=Robert|last=Kitson|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2000|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Now for the fine tuning|first=Donald|last=Trelford|work=Daily Telegraph|date=5 December 2000|page=43}} {{ProQuest|317435329}}</ref> a record that has since been overtaken by [[Mike Brown (rugby union)|Mike Brown]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/14949947/matt-perry-heralds-record-breaking-england-fullback-mike-brown|title=Matt Perry heralds record-breaking England fullback Mike Brown|first=Tom|last=Hamilton|publisher=ESPN|date=12 March 2016|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/former-england-star-mike-brown-trains-signs-with-leicester-as-six-nations-cover-k66x0pjc2|title=Former England star Mike Brown trains with Leicester Tigers in bid to earn contract|first=Will|last=Kelleher|work=[[The Times]]|date=26 January 2023|access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref> He went on to score 10 tries for England.<ref name=statsguru>{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/12708.html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match|title=Match by match list|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> A [[Human back|back]] injury saw him dropped from the England squad for [[Iain Balshaw]]; he later made way for both [[Jason Robinson (rugby)|Jason Robinson]] and [[Josh Lewsey]].<ref name=Richards/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-30039825.html|title=Six Nations: Perry to play for second string|work=Irish Examiner|date=13 February 2002|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/woodward-rewards-lewsey-s-patience-with-england-call-121332.html|title=Woodward rewards Lewsey's patience with England call|first=Chris|last=Hewitt|work=The Independent|date=5 March 2003|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> Perry made his last appearance for the England senior team in 2001 when he played against [[France national rugby union team|France]].<ref name=statsguru/> Perry subsequently went on the [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia]], playing in all three tests.<ref name=Richards/>

==Later career==
Perry continued to play for Bath after his final England appearance, but was plagued by injuries. He was forced to withdraw from the [[2003–04 Premiership Rugby|2004 Zurich Premiership final]] due to a calf strain sustained in the pre-match warm-up.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/2379874/Warm-up-injury-the-final-straw-for-Perry.html|title=Warm-up injury the final straw for Perry Rupert|first=Rupert|last=Bates|work=Daily Telegraph|date=30 May 2004|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref>

==Retirement==
A bulging [[Intervertebral disc|disc]] in Perry's back resulted in spasms and sciatic damage in his left leg, and he retired from playing rugby on 27 March 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/bath/6498315.stm|title=Injured Perry ends playing career|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 March 2007|access-date=23 January 2023}}</ref> On ending his rugby career, he was reported to be joining a consultancy company.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2007/03/27/perry-announces-retirement/|title=Record-breaking former England back Matt Perry has announced his retirement from the game|publisher=Six Nations Rugby|date=27 March 2007|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> He is the founder and director of the company Transition 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transition15.com/our-team/|title=Our team|publisher=Transition 15|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/ex-bath-rugby-star-matt-173444|title=Ex-Bath Rugby star Matt Perry talks confidence, excitement and yachts on the Lions tour of New Zealand|first=Daniel|last=Evans|work=Bath Chronicle|date=6 July 2017|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref>

==Family==
Perry's father Brendan and grandfather Idris also played for Bath.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ruck.co.uk/the-england-players-you-may-have-forgotten-were-selected-for-the-british-and-irish-lions/2/|title=The England players you may have forgotten were selected for the British and Irish Lions|work=Ruck|date=21 April 2020|accessdate=22 January 2023}}</ref> One of Perry's grandmothers was from the town of [[Ballyhaunis]] in County Mayo, Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/losing-mum-made-want-help-london-irishmans-loss-inspires-charity-sport-challange-119454|title='Losing my mum made me want to help': London Irishman's loss inspires sports challange|work=The Irish Post|date=25 April 2017|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref> He has two sons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk/ex-rugby-star-matt-perrys-fundraising-in-memory-of-his-sister|title=Ex-rugby star Matt Perry's fundraising in memory of his sister|publisher=Wiltshire Air Ambulance|accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref>

==Charitable support==
Perry is proud ambassador of [[Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charity |first=Matt Perry {{!}} Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance |title=Matt Perry |url=https://www.wiltshirebathairambulance.org.uk/our-lifesaving-work/our-team/matt-perry |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.bathrugbyheritage.org/content/heritage-topics/people/player-profiles/perry-matt Profile] at Bath Rugby Heritage

{{England 1999 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{British and Irish Lions 2001}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Perry, Matt}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at Millfield]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Bath, Somerset]]
[[Category:English rugby union players]]
[[Category:Bath Rugby players]]
[[Category:England international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Rugby union fullbacks]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from England]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:People educated at Millfield Preparatory School]]
[[Category:1999 Rugby World Cup players]]