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Reports: Jackson and Olding to leave Ulster
By Online Editors
The Press Association have reported that the departure of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding from Ulster will be announced Saturday.
The pair of Irish internationals were recently found unanimously not guilty of rape charges after a nine-week trial at Belfast Crown Court.
The decision to part ways with the players comes after the IRFU and Ulster Rugby conducted an internal review following Jackson and Olding's acquittal last month.
The review focused on a series of explicit group text conversations involving the players and their friends, which was revealed during the trial.
Two other men, Blane McIlroy, 26, and Rory Harrison, 25, were also acquitted of their respective charges in relation to the case.
The incident has sparked protests outside the club grounds, and several club sponsors have expressed concern following the case.
Yesterday, Ulster sponsor Bank of Ireland issued a statement to the Irish Independent.
"As a sponsor of Ulster Rugby, Bank of Ireland is highly concerned regarding the serious behaviour and conduct issues which have emerged as a result of the recent high profile trial. The Bank has formally conveyed these concerns to the CEO of Ulster Rugby," the statement read.
"It is of paramount importance to Bank of Ireland that our sponsorship activity aligns with and supports our core values, and reflects positively on Bank of Ireland through association”.
26-year-old flyhalf Jackson has made 25 appearances for Ireland since 2013, while 25-year-old Olding has made four.
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Latest Comments
Hmmmm….not so sure about Edinburgh!
Go to commentsDisastrous result for conaught almost an impossible task to make top 8 now
The fixture may have been overly friendly recently, and connaught appeared to be a bit unstuck by the venom and vitriol from Ulster. Doak had an amzing game shooting out with perfect timing to disrupt onnaught on every attacking phase. On paper connaught should have had this. Well done to Ulster. connaught were suckered a bit.
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