Ulster sign Ireland Sevens star

12/19/2024 01:31 PM

CONTRACT SIGNING: Ireland Sevens star Zac Ward has put pen to paper with United Rugby Championship outfit Ulster on a three-year deal.

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The 26-year-old joined the province on a trial period following his success with the Ireland Sevens programme, culminating in his impressive performances in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Ward's success in the Sevens game was recognised with his individual accolades for his performances across 2023/24, winning the Rugby Writers Men's 7s Player of the Year and the Tritonlake Men's 7s Players' Player of the Year.

After joining the Senior Men's squad in the summer, Ward has been transitioning to a new position on the wing, and recently made his Ulster debut against Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the Champions Cup.

He also gained minutes on the wing in an Ireland jersey, after playing on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa earlier this autumn.

Zac's deal adds to a proud Ward family connection with the province, with his father Andy an integral part of the 1999 European Cup winning team and his younger brother, Bryn, currently in the Ulster Academy.

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On the news, Ulster General Manager, Bryn Cunningham, said:

"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.

"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."

On signing his contract, Ward added:

"After the summer Olympics in Paris, I was ready for a change after some amazing experiences with the Ireland Sevens programme.

"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."