It’s Official: Paddy Jackson And Stuart Olding Have Been Dropped From Irish Rugby Teams

After much speculation, it has just been announced that Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have had their respective Irish rugby and Ulster contracts revoked by the IRFU with immediate effect. 

The two men were at the centre of an internal review following the revelation in a recent rape trial of Whatapp messages which were deemed to be misogynistic.

The official IRFU statement reads in full:

"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. 

"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."

Stuart Olding has released a statement via his lawyers, saying that it is "with regret" that he learned of his contract cancellation. 

He added that "the Stuart Olding you read about in the trial is not the real Stuart Olding.

"The treatment I have received since the acquittal, both fair and unfair, has made me even more determined to prove myself."

Statement from Stuart Olding issued through his lawyers pic.twitter.com/bQk8dgDSQc

— Amanda Ferguson (@AmandaFBelfast) April 14, 2018