Ulster Clinch Thrilling URC Victory Over Edinburgh After Second-Half Comeback

Ulster secured a remarkable 40-19 victory against Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at Hive Stadium on March 13, 2026, overcoming an early setback and a challenging disciplinary situation to dominate the second half.

Early Setback and First-Half Battle

The match began poorly for Ulster as winger Zac Ward received a yellow card just two minutes into the game. Edinburgh capitalized quickly, with Ross Thompson scoring a strive and adding the conversion to take an early lead, as reported by The Irish Times.

Ulster responded with a try from Charlie Irvine, converted by Jack Murphy, leveling the scores. However, Edinburgh regained the lead through Harry Paterson, with Thompson again converting. Despite a disallowed try for Juarno Augustus, Edinburgh extended their advantage with a try from Wes Goosen, leading 19-7. Ulster managed to close the gap before halftime with a try from Augustus, converted by Murphy, leaving the score at 19-14 to Edinburgh.

Second-Half Dominance Despite Disciplinary Challenges

The second half saw Harry Sheridan receive a yellow card, later upgraded to a red, for a high tackle. Despite being down to 14 men, Ulster leveled the score with a try from Jack Flannery. Ulster then secured a bonus point try through Scott Wilson, with Murphy adding the conversion, according to RTÉ.

Edinburgh’s Harri Morris similarly received a yellow card that was subsequently upgraded to red, further tilting the balance in Ulster’s favor. Ulster finished strongly with tries from Conor McKee and Ben Carson, both converted by Murphy, sealing a comprehensive victory.

Zac Ward’s Performance and Background

Zac Ward, currently playing wing for Ulster, has a notable rugby background. Born on December 11, 1998, he previously represented Ireland internationally at Rugby Sevens and played for Emerging Ireland in 2024, as detailed in his Wikipedia profile. He is the son of former Ulster captain and Ireland international Andy Ward. Ward initially played flanker for Ballynahinch RFC before transitioning to the Sevens game due to his speed and handling skills, as noted on the Ulster Rugby website.

Key Takeaways

• Ulster demonstrated resilience by overcoming an early red card and a halftime deficit.
• The team’s second-half performance was particularly strong, scoring 26 unanswered points.
• Zac Ward played a key role in the comeback, assisting a crucial try despite his early yellow card.