David Joseph Matthews (17 April 1937 – 19 June 2019)[1] was an English rugby union flanker who played a record 502 games for Leicester Tigers from 1955 to 1974 as well as for Leicestershire, Midlands Counties (East) and the Barbarians.
Matthews joined Tigers direct from Oakham School making his debut as an 18 year old on 3 September 1955 against Bedford at Welford Road.
Matthews scored his 100th club try against Bristol at the Memorial Ground on 5 April 1969 and ended his career with 119 tries; a record for a forward until Neil Back broke it in 2005.
[2] Matthews played in three England trials in 1965–67 without gaining a cap but did face Australia and, despite anti-apartheid protests, against the Springboks with Midlands Counties (East).
[7] Farmer,Stuart & Hands, David Tigers-Official History of Leicester Football Club (The Rugby DevelopmentFoundation ISBN 978-0-9930213-0-5) M for Mathews