Zac Ward (born 11 December 1998) is an Irish rugby union player.[1] He represents Ireland internationally at Rugby Sevens, and joined Ulster on a trial basis ahead of the 2024–25 season. He is the son of former International Andy Ward.
_(cropped).jpg) Ward during Ireland's 2024 Summer Olympic quarter-finals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 11 December 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Ballynahinch, County Down | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Down High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Early life
editBy 2004, Ward was already playing age group rugby in Ulster.[2] He attended Down High School,[3] and Hartpury College.[4]
Career
editIn 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]
Personal life
editHe 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.[13]
References
edit- ^ Control_. "Zac Ward – Team Ireland". Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ "Andy Ward: Time for Zac to take the centre stage". Belfast Telegraph. 19 April 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "The season starts early for no less than 12 Hartpury connections named in Singha Premiership 7s squads". Hartpuryrfc. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Four Ulster players named in Ireland Sevens squads ahead of World Series return". Belfast Telegraph. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Ireland Men End World Series With Sixth Place Finish In London". Irish Rugby. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Ireland Men Begin Olympic Qualifier With Brace Of Wins". Irish Rughy. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Aki And Wafer Win Player Of The Year Awards", Irish Rugby, 22 May 2024
- ^ "Ireland Sevens Squads Confirmed For 2024 Paris Olympics". Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ "Zac Ward to join Senior Men’s team on trial basis", Ulster Rugby, 19 August 2024
- ^ 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.
- ^ Mairs, Gavin (6 May 2004). "Ward passion for Ulster runs deep". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2023.