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15th August 2018
09:45am BST
Paddy Jackson has said spoken out about how tough it has been for him since the trial, but he is focused on rebuilding his career in France.
Independent.ie is reporting that Jackson believes people won't understand unless they've been through something similar.
The former Irish and Ulster rugby player now plays with French side, Perpignan, after both contracts ended following the trial in Belfast where Jackson and his co-defendants were ultimately acquitted.
Jackson says, "It's been difficult, but it's something that me and my family have just had to get used to. You only can really understand if you have been in my shoes or my family's shoes.
The 26-year-old said he was aware of the comments by IRFU performance director David Nucifora who said that the door might not be closed for returning to play, but Jackson says he's just focused on playing rugby at the moment.
"I saw the comments but I just take everything as it comes now...It's just all been about rugby and getting back enjoying life."
Jackson also mentioned his struggle with getting to grips with the French language and learning key rugby phrases.
Speaking about his debut last Thursday, Jackson said, "... once I got out on the pitch today I felt like I just came out of my shell again. I was just back playing rugby which is all I wanted to do."
