Zac Ward: Ulster wing driven to achieve Ireland dream after ‘surreal’ 2024

Life has moved fast for Zac Ward over the past 12 months.

This time last year, he was preparing for the start of a big year with the Ireland Sevens team in Perth.

One of Ireland’s standout players in the shorter code, he realised a dream in the summer when he became an Olympian.

While that journey ended in heartache with a quarter-final loss to Fiji crushing any hopes of leaving Paris with a medal, Ward had no time to dwell on anguish as he answered Ulster’s call.

Taken on by the province on a trial basis, Ward found himself back in green before donning the white jersey as part of the Emerging Ireland series in South Africa.

Having banked valuable 15s experience, he has continued to tick personal accomplishments off his checklist, with an Ulster debut against Bordeaux quickly followed by a three-year deal that will keep him at the province until 2028.

Now, with a “surreal” 2024 in his rearview mirror and having sorted his future, the 26-year-old is determined to achieve new goals and scale new heights as he forges a new path as a 15s winger.

“My goal is definitely to play at the highest level I can,” Ward told BBC Sport NI.

“I’ve worn the green jersey playing in the Sevens and the Olympics, so my next goal is to wear the green jersey in 15s.”