Bryn Ward
| Born | 17 July 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
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
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]
Personal life
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
- ^ IRFU profile
- ^ "Jacob Boyd leads RBAI to thrilling Ulster Schools Senior Cup title". The Irish Times. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ^ a b c "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
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ a b "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