Bryn Ward has found himself in the Ireland squad, being completely unknown to the outside rugby world six months ago.
The 21-year-old is experiencing a huge rise, but with his rugby family, it’s not a massive surprise that he has that ability in him.
Bryn is the son of former Ulster and Ireland player Andy Ward. His dad made 28 caps for Ireland after moving to Ulster from New Zealand. His older brother Zac also plays for Ulster. Many were calling for him to get a place in Ireland’s initial Six Nations squad due to his form on the wing. Zac played for Ireland on the sevens circuit and competed until the 2024 Olympics. After the Olympics, he made the switch to 15’s, making his debut for Ulster against Bordeaux in December 2024 in the Champions Cup.
Ward’s rise to the Ireland squad
Ward was an impressive schoolboy player and was crucial to his school, RBAI, winning the Schools’ Cup in 2023.
His bruising run in the final moments set up his captain to score the winning try. He went on to play for Ballynahinch, Ulster’s top-ranked team in the All-Ireland League. Bryn was chosen for the Ireland U20 team, despite not being in the full Ulster Academy. He was picked up by Ulster for the 2024-25 season as an academy player.
In October 2025, he made his Ulster debut in Johannesburg against the Lions as a last-minute replacement for the starting lineup. Two starts later, he was being handed the Man of the Match award after a stellar and powerful performance against Munster.
Initally he came into the Ireland squad as a training member of the Six Nations squad. After an impressive performance in the heavy Ireland XV defeat to England A, he was made a fully-fledged member of the Six Nations squad.
What have Irish legends said about Bryn Ward?
Ward was coached by Sean O’Brien for the Ireland XV game against England A. He appeared on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast with Connor Murray. O’Brien reflected that Ward was the one player who was the key member of the Ireland XV side who could make the step up to play international rugby. A compliment that any back-rower would dream of, from one of the best to do it in an Ireland jersey.
Another Irish legend, Stephen Ferris, echoed similar sentiments. He commented on the physicality of the international game compared to the provincial game. At the Off The Ball live show in Belfast, he shared that it looked like Ward was the only Ireland XV player with the physicality to step up to the standard.
What has Ward said about his rise?
Ward stated in an interview from within the Ireland camp that he had set himself a target of playing five games for Ulster come the end of the season. Currently, he has played 10, and the inclusion in the Ireland squad has blown this out of the water.
It was likely during this international period, when Ulster players like Cormac Izuchukwu would be away in the Ireland camp, that he would make his Ulster appearances.
What are the next steps for Bryn Ward?
The obvious next step for Ward is creating a pathway into the Ireland matchday 23. This path will obviously take time and will depend on how he trains with this Six Nations squad. If he trains well, he could potentially make the squad against the Tier Two nations in the Nations Championship.
Outside of international rugby, a place in the Ulster starting team is not guaranteed. He is competing with Juarno Augusto for the number eight shirt. He will also be competing with Nick Timoney and Cormac Izuchukwu for a place in the back row.
