Ulster assistant coach Mark Sexton says the more Ulster players in the Irish squad is "better for everybody".
Ulster assistant coach Mark Sexton says more Ulster players in the Irish squad is "better for everybody".
Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale were included in Andy Farrell's 34-man squad for the autumn internationals that begin with a trip to Chicago to face New Zealand on 1 November.
Cormac Izuchukwu missed out due to a foot injury that has seen him stay behind in Belfast to see a specialists as Ulster prepare for a URC game the Sharks in Durban on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Ulster will monitor his progress with Sexton saying they will assess whether the 25-year-old forward will join up with the squad for next week's game against the Lions in Johannesburg.
However, the inclusion of the Ulster quartet in Farrell's Ireland squad is a positive with Sexton paying tribute to Stockdale whose versatility saw him play at full-back in last week's 28-7 home win against the Lions.
"Jacob is unbelievably talented, you saw the last two nights he's been incredible," Sexton said in a media call from Ulster's base in Durban.
"He's size and power, has a good left-footed kicking game, is good in the air and his ability to beat players and offload, I can't speak highly enough about Jacob."
Sexton arrived in Ulster over the summer from Connacht as attack and backs coach.
He admits he can be "demanding" but in their opening two URC games, Ulster have scored 10 tries as they picked up maximum points.
It has been a good start, but Sexton feels there is still room for improvement with the "ability to finish line breaks" one area he has identified.
"We just didn't finish the last pass and that needs to get better," he said.
"Against the Bulls we were a bit cagey for 30 minutes, so I'd like to throw the shackles off.
"We're seeing lads express themselves, playing with smiles on their faces and playing to space. We're seeing exciting rugby which I am passionate about."
Category: General Sports
