Ulster Rugby: Bryn Ward steps out to fill ‘big role’ in Giorno Augustus’ absence

The win over Munster was Ward’s seventh Ulster appearance, an occasion marked by the former Irish Under-20 international making his first attempt at the first team.

As he seeks to establish himself at the Avidia Stadium, there was at least one familiar face in the team already.

Ward’s brother, Zac, an Irish Olympian in the rugby sevens in Paris two summers ago, achieved a special feat for the team last season.

The big brother has made five tries from the wing already this campaign and caught the eye again against Munster.

“We grew up together playing in the backyard and stuff like that, so to now be in front of 16,500 people at a sold-out Affidea, it’s pretty surreal,” he said back row of playing alongside the brother who is six years older.

“Watching him throughout the sevens and so on, when I was at school and just coming out of school, he definitely had a big impact on me. It’s nice to have a familiar face around the place too and in the classroom to play with as well.”

“I dropped the ball and he was the first one to come over and pat me on the butt and say, ‘Keep your head,’ so it was really good.”

The youngest of the Ward brothers, who are the sons of former Ulster captain Andy Ward, is not the only inexperienced player to make an impact in recent weeks, with Joe Hobbs and Charlie Irvine also playing important minutes.

With the likes of Stuart McCloskey, Ian Henderson, Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale around, Ward believes it has been hugely beneficial to be able to rely on the advice of Test players as they make the move.

“Probably the most important thing is the speed of the game. Physically, I was playing for Ballynahinch in the AIL [All-Ireland League]So obviously this is a step forward physically when you play with South African teams and the top professionals.

“It’s definitely just the pace of the game, you have to be very pumped up and defensively, your head has to always be on a swivel.

“Having players at the club with so much experience, it’s very good for the young boys to give us such help to make the jump.”