Irish rugby executives will review the futures of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding after the Ulster pair were acquitted of rape following a nine-week trial in Belfast.
Jackson and team-mate Olding had always denied raping the same woman at a house in south Belfast in June 2016. Jackson was also found not guilty of sexual assault, a charge he also denied. The jury of eight men and three women at Belfast crown court returned a unanimous verdict on Wednesday after deliberating for a total of three hours and 45 minutes.
The Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby have now opened a review, which will determine whether Jackson and Olding can resume their top-level rugby careers in Ireland.
“The IRFU and Ulster Rugby note the verdict handed down today at the Belfast crown court in relation to the case brought against Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding,” read a joint IRFU and Ulster Rugby statement.
“We wish to acknowledge that this has undoubtedly been a difficult and extremely traumatic time for all involved. To respect the judicial proceedings the IRFU and Ulster Rugby postponed any internal review of the matter with the players, until the proceedings concluded.
“IRFU and Ulster Rugby officials will review the matter, in line with existing procedures for all contracted players. A review committee, made up of senior representatives of the IRFU and Ulster Rugby, has been appointed and will conclude its review as soon as practicable. The players will continue to be relieved of all duties while the review committee is in process and determining its findings.”
Both Jackson and Olding have been stood down from Ireland and Ulster duty since charges were brought against them.
Jackson has won 25 caps for Ireland and had completed a personally successful tour to South Africa before his career was halted by criminal proceedings. The 26-year-old may now be able to relaunch his career, however, but Ireland and Ulster will clearly tread carefully before making any further decisions.
It is understood, too, that a number of top clubs in England and France are monitoring Jackson’s situation, which could provide another route back into frontline action.