Paddy Jackson signs deal with English rugby team, Stuart Olding expected to follow

The former Irish international player has signed with the English team.

Paddy Jackson is to join the English Premiership team Sale Sharks on what is being called a “cut-price” deal. According to reports in The Telegraph, Jackson has agreed to a deal with the team and is due to sign shortly, with Stuart Olding expecting to follow. The former Ulster teammates both had their contracts with the IRFU revoked last month after a review into their conduct was concluded. The two men were found unanimously not guilty of rape in the Belfast trial, and Jackson was also acquitted of sexual assault. The two men had shared their hopes to return to professional rugby in the weeks after the verdict was announced, however, an online petition called for the men to be subjected to a review with many calling on the IRFU to not reinstate them. Both Jackson and Olding had been linked with possible moves to other teams in the UK and in France, however, interest quickly died down. Reports in The Telegraph claim that Jackson has signed a deal for €230,000 a year which is a €50,000 drop per annum from what he was earning with the IRFU. Sale Sharks have yet to formally comment on the signing and it is expected an announcement would not be made until June or early July.