Sexton to make Racing debiut against Harlequins

British and Irish Lions pair Jonathan Sexton and Dan Lydiate look set to make their debuts for Racing Metro after being named in the squad to face Harlequins in a pre-season friendly on Friday.

Ireland fly-half Sexton and Wales flanker Lydiate joined the big-spending Parisians from Leinster and Newport Gwent Dragons in the close season.

They joined up with their new team-mates a little later than expected due to their Lions’ commitments on the successful tour of Australia in June.

However, Racing’s third new Lion signing, Wales centre Jamie Roberts, was not included in the 28-man squad announced Thursday.

A host of other new recruits were named in the party with props Soane Tonga’uhia of Tonga and South African Brian Mujati, flanker Wenceslas Lauret, wingers Marc Andreu and Adrien Plante, and fullback Benjamin Lapeyre all set to take part in the clash with the Londoners, which is taking place in Geneva.

Friday’s match will be Racing’s second and final pre-season friendly before the start of the new season, beginning with a trip to La Rochelle for a nominally home encounter with Brive on August 17.