Life has moved quickly for Zach Ward over the past 12 months.
This time last year, he was preparing to start a big year with the Ireland Sevens in Perth.
One of Ireland's standout players in the shorter programme, he fulfilled his dream in the summer by becoming an Olympian.
Although that trip ended with a quarter-final loss to Fiji that crushed any hopes of leaving Paris with a medal, Ward had little time to dwell on the pain when he answered Ulster's call.
The boycott was dealt with on a trial basis, and Ward found himself back in green before pulling on the white jersey as part of the Emerging Ireland series in South Africa.
Having gained valuable experience spanning 15 years, he continues to put personal achievements on his checklist, with an Ulster debut against Bordeaux quickly followed by a three-year contract that will keep him at the province until 2028.
Now, with a 'surreal' 2024 in his rearview mirror and having sorted out his future, the 26-year-old is determined to achieve new goals and scale new heights as he forges a new path as a 15-year-old winger.
“My goal is definitely to play at the highest level possible,” Ward told BBC Sport.
“I wore the green jersey while playing in the sevens tournament and the Olympics, so my next goal is to wear the green jersey in 15 seconds.”
