Baloucoune part of Ulster quartet to sign fresh deals

Baloucoune honed his skills playing for Ireland 7s and has notched up 12 tries in 21 Ulster appearances, helping to earn a trip up to one of Andy Farrell’s Six Nations training squads.

However, Baloucoune’s progress has been hampered after he was required to have surgery for hamstring trouble and has yet to be seen this season - although he could be in line for a comeback when Ulster resume their Pro14 campaign against Glasgow at Scotstoun on February 19.

“I’m excited to be part of this Ulster team, and what we can strive to achieve for in the near future,” said Baloucoune. “I’d like to thank the coaching staff and physios who have helped me through my long-term injury this season and I can’t wait to be back playing again.”

Centre Luke Marshall, who is closing in on 150 caps for Ulster, said: “I am happy to be staying on with Ulster, it is a privilege to continue to represent my home province and since my wife gave birth to our son three months ago, I am hopeful that he will be able to come and watch me play at Kingspan Stadium in the next couple of years.”

Dubliner Alan O’Connor has made 121 appearances for Ulster since leaving his native province to join the Kingspan Stadium club’s academy.

Sexton made his senior Ulster debut in November’s Pro14 win over Edinburgh.

O’Connor is hoping Ulster can continue their upward trajectory over recent seasons.

“I’m delighted to have signed on with Ulster for another two years, I’m really looking forward to continuing this journey with a great group of lads, it’s been a great experience so far,” said O’Connor, who has also donned the skipper armband for Ulster and been joined in the squad by younger brother David. “We, as a team, have grown so much over the last couple of years and we will keep growing and improving, to be part of that is very exciting.”

Sexton first came to prominence as a sprinter finishing just outside the medals in the 200m final at the European Under-20 Championships.

In 2019 he switched from athletics to rugby, joining the Ulster academy.

He has been the star performer as Ulster A have gone unbeaten this season and the speedster is delighted to sign his first professional contract.

“It means a lot to me reaching this next step in my career and I can’t thank everyone enough who helped get me to where I am,” said Sexton. “I’m really looking forward to working hard in the months ahead, having had my first taste of senior rugby this year.”

It wasn’t all good news for Ulster as Jacob Stockdale, left out of Ireland’s Six Nations squad due to injury, could be facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines after his knee injury against Munster.

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