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Rising Ulster star smashes Irish schools sprint records

Binge drinking has generated negative headlines for rugby in Ireland (Getty Images/Dino Panato)

Ulster’s 18-year-old winger Aaron Sexton has broken both the senior boys’ 100- and 200-metre times at the All-Ireland Schools’ Track and Field Championships.

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The Ulsterman ran a time of 10.43 in the 100m and 20.69 in the 200m, smashing the 21.06 he ran at the World Under-20 Championships in Finland last year.

The video of Sexton running these times was shared by former Ulster and Ireland flanker Neil Best, who, like many Ulster fans, must be very excited for what the future holds for their player.  

Sexton made his debut for Ulster as a 17-year-old in a pre-season match last August against Gloucester, but is yet to make his competitive debut for the Kingspan Stadium outfit. However, at 6ft 4ins, the teenager looks to be a very promising prospect.

The idea of Sexton and Jacob Stockdale occupying either flank for Ulster over the next decade is something that could make the province a real force in European rugby again.

This is Sexton running both races:

After being clocked running 37.8 kmph before, Sexton has been touted by many as the fastest man in Irish rugby, something that he only confirmed with these recent times.

While 10.43 seconds is an impressive time, especially given his size, it is by no means unique. In the southern hemisphere, a bidding war has opened up over New Zealand-born sprint sensation Edward Osei-Nketia. The 17-year-old dominated sports headlines in New Zealand media earlier this year for his exploits in track and field.

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He clocked a blistering personal best time of 10.19 seconds and he is already New Zealand’s fourth fastest sprinter.

Similarly, Australia Sevens recently signed sprint sensation Trae Williams, who has clocked a time of 10.13 in the 100m. Nonetheless, Sexton will still be up there with some of the fastest in world rugby.

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J
JW 35 minutes ago
Can Les Bleus avoid a Black-wash in New Zealand?

Hmm sounds like structure might be different were FFR doesn’t have the same costs/take on the work as other unions though? Like it could be a language translation thing but you are talking like NZR is broke beceause theyre not making money. NZR is fairly wealthy and its the job to put all their profit back into the game. Do you actually think FFR is broke or are they really the same, where the game, the grass roots, is just really expensive outlay?


Obviously NZR has a players agreement (in that they also contract the players of course) that takes a percentage, so that does take up an ever increasing amount of funds NZR dish out too.


But for instance that figure is like 33%, and NZR turnover like 280million a year, so %60 of that figure is still being spent on running the game ( a fair chunk pro and HP admin sure). Some 100mil on players and over 120 you’d have to say on the game, for a nation of 5mil people 100k reg players. Any idea on what this ‘broke’ FFR is spending on 80mil people and near 1m rugby players/people? It must be atronomical amounts. Unfair to say ‘broke’ unless as I thought you were saying (funds from govern as just part of revenue) theyre just not as responsible for large parts.

easily challenged in courts, to try to impose, or even simply define, which “elite” player should be part of any country’s selection

Yes I have already said that. They problem now is that Galthie has said no elite player will be selected.

It’s not WR business to form an opinion on the subject

Of course it is. Theyre probably working in conjunction with the FFR, and making those tools/processes available/known to all countries to improve player welfare. Hence you can be sure they are going to have a say and know if its all BS.

Yeah? but, frankly, nobody in charge is interested by your opinion on the subject (or mine)

I’m not stating opinion. I’m telling you beating weak 6N opponents is not going to help you. That’s a fact, and I’m tell you so that you know what the priorities should be.


We all want a strong rugby world in union, and the north especially is slipping back.

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