Ulster have scored try bonus points in all five games this season and have won four of them, putting a big smile on the face of new attack coach Mark Sexton.

Ulster are the second top scorers in the domestic league with only the table-topping Stormers accumulating more points, and having played a game extra.

Dubliner Sexton is hoping Ulster can continue with their try-scoring exploits as they play their first ever European Challenge Cup group game against Racing 92 at Ravenhill on Friday night.

“I think that's the most important thing, is scoring tries and I said it before, I'm very passionate about playing a good brand of rugby and I love the way we're attacking at the moment,” said Sexton.

placeholder image — Ulster attack coch Mark Sexton during a press call ahead of Friday's European showdown with Racing 92 at Ravenhill. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

“Five out of five – so we just need to keep going, don't we? I think we had five last year, so we've got five this year, so we just need to keep going because come the end of the year, we know every point is going to be very important.

“Before I came, I watched almost every game, both when they [Ulster] were playing live and also when I was coming into the job. I wanted to see what I thought I could make better, so I watched nearly all of them and found little bits that I thought I could make better. So I think some of it's come to fruition.”

In contrast to Ulster, the Parisians have played 11 league games – winning six and losing five.

Sexton added: “Racing have been going really well, as we all know. They've got some absolute stars and they're defending well, they're attacking really well. So we know it's going to be a big challenge on Friday.

“The top 14 swings drastically on home versus away. I think Racing have won all their home games, five and six – six away, five at home – and they've looked really good when they field their best team, so I think we'll see a radical change when it flips in terms of home versus away.

“I think every time you watch the opposition, you can see parts of their game which you can definitely go after. And you can certainly highlight it to our lads to give us confidence and belief going into the weekend.”

Australian prop Angus Bell is set to make his debut from the bench for Ulster after arriving from the autumn internationals.

“He trained on Tuesday, and he trained really well, so I think we'll see him in some capacity,” Sexton said.

“He's chomping at the bit, he can't wait to get going. He has played a lot of rugby and he's looked good, hasn't he? So we're delighted to have him and, as I said, he can't wait to get going.”

Ulster could have a second row crisis with skipper Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu and Matty Dalton ruled out, but Sexton is backing the young guns to step up to the plate.

“it's such a good opportunity for Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes, they're two of the most promising locks in the country,” he said.

"S although, you know, we're missing Hendy and Izzy – obviously you take them out of any team in the world, and you get hurt – but the two young lads are excellent, excellent players, so it's brilliant that they're getting an opportunity now.”