Winger Sexton set for provincial debut

DAN McFARLAND is set to give two more players their Ulster debut when they attempt to make it eight wins in-a-row against Edinburgh this evening.

Academy winger Aaron Sexton has long been touted for this stage and already played with the seniors in a pre-season friendly while still a pupil at Bangor Grammar.

The schoolboy sprint star has been named in the number 23 jersey for the trip to Murrayfield.

A less familiar new cap is Bradley Roberts. With Rob Herring having faced Georgia with Ireland and Tom Stewart struggling with a hamstring complaint, the Rainey Old Boys hooker has been training with the side in recent weeks and takes the place of Adam McBurney on the bench.

“Bradley’s been training really well. It’s nice to see a guy be recognised from the club environment,” said Ulster skills coach Dan Soper.

There are five changes to the team that beat Scarlets last time out. James Hume returns after a four-game absence with a groin problem, his fitness offsetting losing Luke Marshall to injury.

Andrew Warwick makes a first start of the season to replace Eric O’Sullivan who spent the week with Ireland while Sam Carter comes in for the banned Kieran Treadwell.

Jordi Murphy and Ian Madigan have also been brought into the starting side.

Edinburgh v Ulster Live, eir Sport 2, 8.15

ULSTER – M Lowry; M Faddes, S Moore, J Hume, R Lyttle; I Madigan, J Cooney; A Warwick, J Andrew, M Moore; A O’Connor, S Carter (capt); S Reidy, J Murphy, M Coetzee. Reps: B Roberts, K McCall, G Milasinovich, D O’Connor, D McCann, D Shanahan, B Johnston, A Sexton.