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Paddy Jackson's second season at Lyon is all but over – report
By Liam Heagney
Former Ireland out-half Paddy Jackson has had his latest season in France cut short after Lyon confirmed he must undergo shoulder surgery. It was the summer of 2023, following the collapse of London Irish, when Jackson linked up with Lyon, his second Top 14 club after a previous stint at Perpignan.
He made 27 appearances in his first season at Matmut Stadium, 15 as a starter. However, he has since fallen down the pecking order as his only two appearances this season came off the bench in October against La Rochelle and Perpignan.
He now faces a lay-off of up to eight months, likely scuppering his ambitions of a whispered 2025/26 return to the Premiership.
Jackson signed an extension at Lyon earlier this year taking him through to the summer 2026, but it was reported by RugbyPass in September that the 32-year-old wanted to head back across the Channel to England.
A rugbyrama.fr report read: “Lyon have announced bad news concerning one of its players. Paddy Jackson, injured in the shoulder (torn rotator cuff tendon) will have to undergo surgery.
“He will have to convalesce for six to eight months, which will make him unavailable for most of the season. The Irish international (25 caps) would need to return as soon as possible so that he can play the very last matches of the season.
“At out-half, Fabien Gengenbacher, boss of the Lyon sports club, will be able to count on Leo Berdeu and Martin Meliande.”
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I think this debate is avoiding the elephant in the room. Money. According to the URC chief executive Martin Anayi, the inclusion of SA teams has doubled the income of the URC. There is no doubt that the SA teams benefit from the URC but so do the other countries' teams. Perhaps it doesn't affect a club like Leinster but the less well off clubs benefit hugely from South African games' TV income. I don't think SA continued inclusion in the URC is a slam dunk. They don't hold all the cards by a long way - but they do have an ace in the hole. The Ace of Diamonds.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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