16 Facts About Matthew Rees

Matthew Rees was born on 9 December 1980 and is a Welsh former professional rugby union footballer who played as a hooker.

Matthew Rees played more than 180 matches for the Scarlets, captaining them on several occasions, leading to his first Wales call-up in 2005.

Matthew Rees became Wales' first-choice hooker for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and played in all five matches as Wales won the Grand Slam in the 2008 Six Nations Championship.

Matthew Rees missed the 2011 Rugby World Cup due to a neck injury, but returned to the team to play twice in another Grand Slam-winning campaign in the 2012 Six Nations Championship.

In 2013, Matthew Rees joined the Cardiff Blues, but a diagnosis of testicular cancer in October 2013 ruled him out of action for almost six months.

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Matthew Rees made his last appearance for Wales on a tour to South Africa in 2014; his 60 caps made him Wales' most-capped hooker until Ken Owens overtook him in 2019.

The Celtic Warriors team was disbanded after its first season due to financial issues however, and Matthew Rees moved to Llanelli Scarlets, another one of the recently founded Welsh regional sides.

Matthew Rees made over 170 appearances for the team and captained the side on a number of occasions.

Matthew Rees was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October 2013 however, and was forced to take a leave of absence from the game to receive treatment.

Matthew Rees made his debut for Wales against the United States in 2005.

On 18 January 2010, Matthew Rees was named in the 35-man Wales squad for the 2010 Six Nations.

Matthew Rees was appointed captain of the Welsh side in place of the injured Ryan Jones for the test against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on 6 November 2010 and retained the captaincy for the 2011 Six Nations Championship.

Matthew Rees missed the 2011 Rugby World Cup due to a neck injury that saw Sam Warburton take over as captain.

On 26 May 2013, Matthew Rees played for the Barbarians against England in a warm-up match before England's tour of Argentina.

In 2013 Matthew Rees was forced to take time away from the game in November 2013 for treatment for testicular cancer.

However he had recovered from his illness and he was able to get two more Welsh international caps again against South African Rugby Union and on 14 June 2014 Matthew Rees became the most capped hooker for Wales as he surpassed Garin Jenkins.