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Zac Ward

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Zac Ward
Ward during Ireland's 2024 Summer Olympic quarter-finals
Date of birth (1998-12-11) 11 December 1998 (age 26)
Place of birthBallynahinch, County Down
SchoolDown High School
Rugby union career
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024– Ulster 2 ()
Correct as of 20 December 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024 Emerging Ireland 2 (5)
Correct as of 9 October 2024
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2021– Ireland
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Ireland
European Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Kraków–Małopolska Team competition

Zac Ward (born 11 December 1998) is an Irish rugby union player.[1] He represents Ireland internationally at Rugby Sevens, and joined Ulster from the 2024–25 season. He is the son of former International Andy Ward.

Early life

[edit]

By 2004, Ward was already playing age group rugby in Ulster.[2] He attended Down High School,[3] and Hartpury College.[4]

Career

[edit]

In November 2021, Ward was called up to the Ireland Sevens squad for the World Rugby Sevens Series event in Dubai.[5] In May 2023, Ward featured as Ireland finished sixth at the World Rugby Sevens Series event in London.[6] Ward was then selected for the Ireland squad for the 2023 European Games held in Kraków in June 2023.[7] Ward played with in the final against Great Britain, with Ireland winning gold in the tournament and therefore qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games.[8] In May 2024 he won the Men's Sevens Players' Player of the Year in the Rugby Players Ireland Awards.[9]

In June 2024, he was confirmed in the Irish squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[10] In August 2024 He joined Ulster on a trial basis until the autumn international window.[11] He was named in the Ulster starting XV for his debut in the European Rugby Champions Cup against Union Bordeaux Bègles on 14 December 2024.[12] Shortly afterwards he signed a three-year contact with Ulster keeping him at the club until 2028.[13]

Personal life

[edit]

He is the son of former rugby union International Andy Ward and was born during his father’s triumphant 1998–99 Heineken Cup campaign with Ulster Rugby.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Control_. "Zac Ward – Team Ireland". Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  2. ^ "Andy Ward: Time for Zac to take the centre stage". Belfast Telegraph. 19 April 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  3. ^ Ward, Tony (22 January 2016). "Inst hit a rich vein of form as they chase back-to-back Ulster titles". Independent.ie. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  4. ^ "The season starts early for no less than 12 Hartpury connections named in Singha Premiership 7s squads". Hartpuryrfc. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Four Ulster players named in Ireland Sevens squads ahead of World Series return". Belfast Telegraph. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Ireland Men End World Series With Sixth Place Finish In London". Irish Rugby. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Ireland Men Begin Olympic Qualifier With Brace Of Wins". Irish Rughy. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  8. ^ "European Games: Ireland sevens beat Great Britain 26-12 in final to qualify for 2024 Olympic Games". BBC Sport. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Aki And Wafer Win Player Of The Year Awards", Irish Rugby, 22 May 2024
  10. ^ "Ireland Sevens Squads Confirmed For 2024 Paris Olympics". Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Zac Ward to join Senior Men’s team on trial basis", Ulster Rugby, 19 August 2024
  12. ^ McKendry, Adam (13 December 2024). "Ireland Sevens star set for Ulster debut as international figures recalled for Bordeaux tie". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Winger Ward signs three-year deal with Ulster". BBC Sport. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  14. ^ Mairs, Gavin (6 May 2004). "Ward passion for Ulster runs deep". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
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