Dec 20,2024
Ireland Sevens international Zac Ward has committed long term to the XVs game, signing a three-year contract at Ulster following a successful trial.
The 26-year-old joined Richie Murphy's side on a trial basis in pre-season, after starring for Ireland's Sevens side in their world series and Olympic campaign.
Ward made his competitive debut for the province in last week's Champions Cup defeat to Bordeaux-Begles, and will start again on Friday when the province welcome Munster to Belfast in the URC. His new contract will keep him in Belfast until 2028.
The winger is also the son of former Ireland and Ulster back row Andy, while his younger brother Bryn is also part of Ulster's academy.
"After the summer Olympics in Paris, I was ready for a change after some amazing experiences with the Ireland Sevens programme," Ward said.
"I always dreamed of playing for my home province as a boy, as I watched my dad play in an Ulster jersey growing up.
"I'm also mates with a few of the guys who were already in the side and the others were fantastic in welcoming me into the set-up.
"With the help of the coaches, players and staff here, I want to kick on and hopefully make plenty of good memories playing for Ulster."
Ward's return from Sevens has been all the more impressive given his positional switch.
Having previously played his XVs rugby for Ballynahinch in the All Ireland League as a flanker, he has converted to the wing since joining the province on his trial in the summer, while he was also brought on the Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa in late September.
"We identified Zac as somebody who could be a good addition to the Senior squad, and we have been impressed with how he has settled into the group," Ulster's general manager Bryn Cunningham said.
"Watching his performances in the Sevens game, we felt that he showcased a number of transferable skills for the XVs game, with his strengths in ball-carrying, his speed, aerial skills, and try-scoring ability all strong attributes for playing in the backfield.
"It's also a great example of someone who hasn’t come through the traditional route into the senior men’s side, so credit to Zac and the journey he has been on.
"We feel Zac can make a real impact for us in the seasons to come.
