Sexton set to leave Ulster and pursue NFL career

Ulster wing Aaron Sexton is to leave the province to pursue a career in the NFL.

The 24-year-old was a promising schoolboy sprinter and joined the Ulster academy after he narrowly missed out on a medal in the 200m final at the European Under-20 Championships in 2019.

He made his senior debut for the province off the bench against Edinburgh in 2020 and has scored once in his 10 appearances.

In opting to leave the sport to seek a place in the NFL's International Player Pathway [IPP], he is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Welsh international Louis Rees-Zammit.

The former Gloucester winger announced in January that he would be stepping away from rugby to take part in a 10-week crash course to learn the skills needed to succeed in the NFL.

Zammit, 23, progressed through the pathway to land a spot in the practice squad of the Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs, and has since joined the Jacksonville Jaguars, but is yet to play in a competitive game.

The IPP has also proven popular with Gaelic footballers. Goalkeepers Rory Beggan, Mark Jackson and Charlie Smyth were all part of the process this year with the latter landing on the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints for the 2024 season.

Former Derry Under-20 player Jude McAtamney followed a different path, playing college football for Rutgers before joining the New York Giants.

He was promoted from the practice squad to their active roster for his side's regular season game against the Washington Commanders this month and kicked a field goal and an extra point in the 27-22 loss.

Ulster Rugby declined to comment on Sexton's departure.