Zac Ward (born 11 December 1998) is an Irish rugby union player who plays wing for Ulster. He formerly represented Ireland internationally at Rugby Sevens, and played for Emerging Ireland in 2024. He is the son of former Ulster captain and Ireland international Andy Ward.
Early life Ward was born during the quarter-final of Ulster's 1999 Heineken Cup-winning campaign. His father, Andy, who was playing in the match, was substituted and given a police escort from Ravenhill to Lagan Valley Hospital to be with his wife, Wendy, as she gave birth.Jennifer Doherty, "Ulster rugby hero celebrates double", Belfast Telegraph, 12 December 1998
By 2004, Ward was already playing age group rugby in Ulster. He attended Down High School, and Hartpury College.
Career Ward's senior rugby career began with Ballynahinch in the All-Ireland League, where he played flanker.Neil Treacy, "Zac Ward earns Ulster contract after impressive trial", RTÉ, 19 December 2024
In November 2021, he was called up to the Ireland Sevens squad for the World Rugby Sevens Series event in Dubai. In May 2023, he featured as Ireland finished sixth at the World Rugby Sevens Series event in London. He was then selected for the Ireland squad for the 2023 European Games held in Kraków in June 2023. He played in the final against Great Britain, with Ireland winning gold in the tournament and qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games. In May 2024 he won the Men's Sevens Players' Player of the Year in the Rugby Players Ireland Awards."Aki And Wafer Win Player Of The Year Awards", Irish Rugby, 22 May 2024 He was selected for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Ireland made the quarter-finals."Zac Ward’s dream Olympics", Mourne Observer, 31 July 2024
Ward joined Ulster on a trial basis in August 2024.[https://ulster.rugby/content/zac-ward-to-join-senior-mens-team-on-trial-basis "Zac Ward to join Senior Men’s team on trial basis"[, Ulster Rugby, 19 August 2024 He switched position to wing, and played in two pre-season friendlies, before representing Emerging Ireland in the 2024 Toyota Challenge in South Africa, scoring a try against the Pumas.Seamus Maloney, "Zac Ward hoping to continue learning lessons in switch from rugby sevens to 15s with Ulster", The Irish News, 29 October 2024 He made his competitive debut for Ulster in the Champions Cup against Bordeaux in December 2024."Mixed emotions for wing Ward in debut for Ulster", BBC Sport, 16 December 2024 Shortly afterwards he signed a three-year contract with Ulster keeping him at the club until 2028.
Ward was called up as a training panellist for Ireland's tour to Georgia and Portugal in the summer of 2025."Ireland Men’s Squad Named For Summer Tour", Irish Rugby, 4 June 2025 In October 2025, he was called-up to the Ireland Wolfhounds squad for their match against Spain during the 2025 November internationals, and was subsequently named as a replacement for the match. He was called up to the Ireland squad for the 2026 Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Series after Tommy O'Brien was ruled out through injury."Ireland Squad Update", Irish Rugby, 20 June 2026
Personal life His brother Bryn Ward is also a professional rugby player.
References
External links
Zac Ward at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics (archived)