Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been sacked by Ulster and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) following a review of their recent Belfast rape trial.
In a joint statement, the two organisations said: “Following a review, conducted in the aftermath of recent court proceedings, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby have revoked the contracts of Patrick Jackson and Stuart Olding with immediate effect.
Jacksons statement:
Paddy Jackson tells @PA he is “deeply disappointed” to have been sacked by Ulster and Ireland. pic.twitter.com/7X3Mf4711M
— David Young (@DavidYoungPA) April 14, 2018
“In arriving at this decision, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby acknowledge our responsibility and commitment to the core values of the game: Respect, Inclusivity and Integrity.
“It has been agreed, as part of this commitment, to conduct an in-depth review of existing structures and educational programmes, within the game in Ireland, to ensure the importance of these core values is clearly understood, supported and practised at every level of the game.”
Last month, fly-half Jackson and centre Stuart Olding, who have both represented Ireland at Test level, were cleared of raping a woman, with two other men also cleared.
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The decision to part ways with the players comes after the IRFU and Ulster held an internal review following the duo’s acquittal.
The review focused on several explicit group text messages between the players and their friends, which was also revealed during the trial.