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16th Apr 2018

“False information” – Clermont coach dismisses rumours of signing Paddy Jackson

Michael Lanigan

The Top 14 team insisted that they have “no desire” to bring the Belfast-native to France.

Clermont have denied speculation linking them with a move for Paddy Jackson, whose deal with the IRFU and Ulster Rugby was revoked last week.

Jackson and Stuart Olding are both currently searching for new clubs after the pair were sacked by Ulster Rugby and the IRFU.

Both men were recently found not guilty of rape and sexual assault following a nine-week trial in Belfast, but were criticised for the content of a series of WhatsApp and text messages exchanged around the time of the alleged incident.

Jackson had been rumoured to be  in preliminary negotiations with the French Top 14 club, however, in a statement on their website, Clermont head coach Franck Azéma has dismissed these reports as “false information.”

“There is no contact between Paddy Jackson and the club and no desire on our part to engage his services.

“I trust our workforce in this position,” he said, before insisting that his team does not “lack resources with players like Camille Lopez, Patricio Fernandez, Ice Toeava and Dorian Lavernhe continuing to progress and whom we trust.

“With the constraints imposed by the Salary Cap, it is not possible to strengthen the position of out-half, when there are numerous internal solutions.”

This follows Exeter Chief’s denial of speculation linking them with a move for Stuart Olding.

“It’s not on our radar at all,” coach Rob Hunter said. “We get linked to lots of players, it’s just not on our radar, it’s nothing to do with us really.”

The IRFU and Ulster Rugby said in a statement this weekend: “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.”