Bryn Ward
| Born | 17 July 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 115 kg (254 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Andy Ward (father); Zac Ward (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bryn Ward (born 17 July 2004)[1] is an Irish rugby union player who plays in the back row for Ulster Rugby. He represented Ireland Under-20 in 2024.
Early life
[edit]Ward was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI). He played schools rugby for RBAI, including involvement in the school's Ulster Schools' Senior Cup-winning campaign in 2023.[2] He played club rugby for Ballynahinch RFC.[3][4]
Rugby career
[edit]Ward was named in Ireland's squad for the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[3][5][6][7] He also featured for Ireland at the 2024 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, including selection at openside flanker for the third-place play-off against New Zealand.[8]
In June 2024, he was named as a new entrant to the Ulster Rugby Academy for the 2024–25 season.[3] His first season was disrupted by a knee injury sustained while playing for Ballynahinch.[9] He made his senior Ulster debut in a United Rugby Championship match against the Lions at Ellis Park in October 2025.[10][11] In January 2026 he was called up as a training panellist for Ireland ahead of the 2026 Six Nations Championship, and to the Ireland 'A' squad for the fixture against England 'A'.[12] He signed his first senior contract with Ulster ahead of the 2026-27 season.[13] He was named the Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year at the 2026 Rugby Players Ireland awards.[14]
He was called up to the Ireland squad for the 2026 Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Series, after Caelan Doris withdrew through injury.[15] He made his international debut from the bench against Japan on 11 July.[16]
Personal life
[edit]Ward is the son of former Ireland international and Ulster player Andy Ward.[5] His older brother, Zac Ward, is also a rugby union player.[5][11]
References
[edit]- ↑ IRFU profile
- ↑ "Jacob Boyd leads RBAI to thrilling Ulster Schools Senior Cup title". The Irish Times. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Ulster Add Ireland U20 Stars To Academy". IrishRugby.ie. Irish Rugby Football Union. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ Bryn Ward playing stats at FinalWhistle.ie
- 1 2 3 "Murphy And Ward Making Good Strides With Ireland Under-20s". IrishRugby.ie. Irish Rugby Football Union. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ "Evan O'Connell to captain Ireland for U20 Six Nations campaign". The42.ie. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ Walsh, Daire (15 March 2024). "The son of Ulster's Heineken Cup hero seeking U20 Six Nations glory". The42.ie. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ "Ireland Men's U20s Team Named For Third Place Play-Off Against New Zealand". IrishRugby.ie. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ "Six Players Join Ulster Academy For 2025/26 Season". IrishRugby.ie. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ "Highlights: October 2025". Rugby Players Ireland. Rugby Players Ireland. 4 November 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- 1 2 "Ulster rugby is very much a family affair for the Wards as Zac prepares for Cardiff Euro trip". The Irish News. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ "Seven Ulster players named in Ireland squad for 2026 Guinness Six Nations", Ulster Rugby, 21 January 2026
- ↑ "Bryn Ward signs first Senior deal with Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 26 March 2026
- ↑ "McCloskey And Moloney-MacDonald Take Top Honours At Rugby Players Ireland Awards", Irish Rugby, 20 May 2026
- ↑ "Ireland Squad Update", Irish Rugby, 20 June 2026
- ↑ [https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/49333207/sean-jansen-scores-debut-ireland-secure-bonus-point-win-japan "Sean Jansen scores on debut as Ireland secure bonus-point win over Japan", ESPN, 11 July 2026