Ward handed chance as Ulster look to resurrected campaign 

Zac Ward of Ulster during the Champions Cup Pool 1 match between Ulster and Bordeaux Begles. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster head to Leicester Tigers at least having arrested their five-game losing run last time out in the URC at Connacht but knowing they must win to stay in the hunt for Champions Cup qualification.

After shipping heavy defeats to reigning champions Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles in the first two rounds of action, Richie Murphy’s squad are propping up pool one along with the also winless and pointless Exeter Chiefs.

While the Ulster coach comes up against Michael Cheika today - the man who brought Murphy on board as a skills coach at Leinster - the visitors at least have skipper Iain Henderson back in their ranks following a spate of injury as they bid to upset the odds in much the same was as at Connacht two weeks ago in the league.

David McCann is returned to the back row at number eight with James McNabney moving to blindside flanker and Nick Timoney, who was so forceful in Galway, staying in the number seven shirt.

In the backline, Jack Murphy – son of Richie – drops to the bench allowing Aidan Morgan back into the starting side while Ethan McIlroy is fit again and is in at full-back for the missing Michael Lowry.

Former Ireland Sevens star and Olympian Zac Ward plays only his third game for Ulster since converting back to the 15-a-side game as a winger and this is his first away game for the province.

Ward arrived at the Kingspan Stadium over the summer on a trial basis but was recently handed a three-year contract and is now a permanent fixture in the squad where his younger brother Bryn a back-rower in the Academy.

“I know I’ve been fortunate as we’ve had a few injuries which has made my opportunity come a bit quicker than would have been expected but I’ve enjoyed every minute,” said Ward whose father Andy skippered Ulster and played for Ireland.

“I don’t want it to stop so my goal is to cement myself in the squad and play as much as I can.

“I’m still learning how to kick a ball, that’s my goal for 2025 is to try and kick so hopefully this weekend, I’ll see how that goes.

“First and foremost, I need to score a try for Ulster. I’ve played two games and haven’t scored yet and that’s one of things I’ve been brought into do so I’d love to score a try,” he added.

Ward has also received plenty of guidance from fellow squad members including Jacob Stockdale, Werner Kok – who had an Olympic medal winning stint with Sevens when with the Blitzboks – and childhood friend McIlroy.

“I’ve basically grown up with Ethan (McIlroy) and we’re basically best friends since we were about four or five years old and he’s helped me a lot with working in the back field and trying to figure out how all that works,” Ward explained.

“I’m still learning and the guys here are good at keeping everyone’s feet on the ground and not letting anyone’s head get too big.

“It’s been good, it’s been challenging, and I’ve still loads to learn.”