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The former Ospreys man has gone back to where it all began with his club giving him a ‘hero’s welcome’
Former Ospreys back Mat Protheroe has joined Welsh amateur side Waunarlwydd RFC weeks after finishing a short stint with Gallagher PREM side Bristol Bears.
The 29-year-old, who spent four years with the Ospreys before leaving in 2024, had joined Bristol on a short-term contract over the last PREM Cup period in November. In what was his second spell with the English club, having previously spent three years at Ashton Gate, he featured twice in cup defeats to Bath and Exeter.
Having made the last of those two appearances at the end of November, Swansea-born Protheroe has now returned to Wales to rejoin his boyhood club Waunarlwydd and will line up for them again this weekend.
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The club, who are currently fifth in the WRU’s National League Division One West, announced the move ahead of their clash with Lampeter on Saturday afternoon.
“Big transfer news from Waunarlwydd RFC!” a post on the club’s Facebook page read. “Our very own Matthew Protheroe is BACK HOME where it all began!
“Mat started his rugby journey right here with us from Under 8s, tearing it up on the local pitches before launching into an incredible professional career: Gloucester, Bristol Bears, Ospreys, and more.
“Now, after a brilliant pro stint, he’s returned to pull on the green and black once again for Waunarlwydd!” the post continued.
“Come support Mat and the lads as we take on Lampeter this Saturday. Family, friends, and rugby fans – let’s pack the ground and give Mat a hero’s welcome!”
Protheroe has been named at full-back for Waunarlwydd RFC’s first XV in the mid-table clash, which kicks off at Roseland Road at 2.30pm.
While he was born in Swansea, the fleet-footed back was educated at Hartpury College, and after impressing for Hartpury RFC, later signed his first professional deal with Gloucester in 2015.
However, he would go on to leave his contract early by mutual agreement and join local rivals Bristol, before moving to Wales to join the Ospreys ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Protheroe made 42 appearances for the region, scoring 37 points, but departed at the end of the 2023/24 campaign before moving to New Zealand and representing Hawke’s Bay in the National Provincial Championship.
He then returned to England to re-join Hartpury and play in last season’s Premiership Rugby Cup and Gallagher Champ, before being parachuted in to provide injury cover for Bristol in the autumn.
Despite being Welsh-born, Protheroe has only represented England on the international stage, qualifying for their U18s and U20s sides between 2015 and 2017 through playing for an English club.
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