Paddy Jackson joins London Irish: New signing splits fan base as supporters threaten boycotts

The 25-cap Ireland international fly-half was last year acquitted of rape and has rebuilt his rugby career with Perpignan after being sacked by the Irish Rugby Football Union

Former Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson will play in the Premiership next season after agreeing to join promoted club London Irish, just over a year after he was found not guilty of rape at a trial in Belfast.

Irish made the announcement on Tuesday to mixed reviews, though some fans vowed on social media to boycott the club while Jackson is on the books.

Irish have not revealed how long Jackson has signed for after announcing his future arrival from French side Perpignan, the club he joined last season after the Irish Rugby Football Union tore up his contract following the trial.

While Jackson and fellow Irish international Stuart Olding were acquitted, the IRFU elected to sack them due to messages that they exchanged with two other defendants over text and social media, which came to light as part of the court case.

They both found new clubs in France as Jackson joined Perpignan and Olding signed a deal with Brive, and although the IRFU have left the door open to them representing the national team again in the future, they will not be considered for selection unless they are playing rugby in Ireland.

“I’m delighted to be joining London Irish next season at such an exciting and pivotal time for everyone involved with the club,” Jackson said after the move was announced.

“London Irish have a clear vision for where they want to be and I look forward to being part of it.”

The signing has triggered a mixed response from Exiles supporter, with some welcoming the addition of an international fly-half and others referencing the court case and the behaviour that Jackson was revealed to have displayed that led to his IRFU sacking.

“This is a disgrace,” said one fan. “As an Irish woman in London and supporter, I am beyond disappointed and disgusted by this appointment. As a club that prides itself on community and values.... what on earth are you thinking? You have my support no longer.”

Another fan named Gary O’Reilly said: “I was looking forward to bringing my two-year-old daughter to a few games in the future. I will never even watch a game on TV again. What in God’s name is going on you thought this is an appropriate signing?”

Jackson becomes London Irish’s sixth major signing ahead of next season (Getty)

A number of fans responded positively to the announcement, labelling it a “great signing” and “excellent move”, but the issue is unlikely to go away as his debut will not come until October at the earliest when the new Premiership season begins due to the Rugby World Cup taking place. It continues Irish’s recruitment drive ahead of their return to the top flight, having already announced the acquisitions of Scotland prop Allan Dell, Australian trio Sekope Kepu, Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona and Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien.

Jackson’s arrival will see the 27-year-old reunite with his former Ulster coach Les Kiss as well as the man who gave him his Ireland debut in Declan Kidney, having gone on to win 25 caps since 2013.

“Players of the calibre of Paddy Jackson do not become available very often and both myself and Les are looking forward to working with him in the future” Kidney said.

“He is a player with proven international quality who we feel will add value to our squad, and it is pleasing that Paddy sees London Irish as a part of his future.”

Ulster supporters protested against Jackson before he was sacked by the IRFU (Getty)

Meanwhile, Bath have confirmed that Stuart Hooper will step up from his current role of team manager to replace Todd Blackadder as the club’s new director of rugby. Blackadder will leave the club a year earlier than planned in order to take charge of Japanese side Toshiba Brave Lupus, and Bath have elected to press on with their previously announced long-term vision by promoting former club captain Hooper as well as announce the arrival of current England scrum coach Neil Hatley, who will take responsibility of the forwards and the defence after the Rugby World Cup.

Girvan Dempsey, the former Ireland international, will continue as attack and backs coach, while former Wales lock Luke Charteris will take up a new role as lineout coach following his recent retirement.

“I feel an immense amount of passion and pride for the club and for Bath as a city,” Hooper said. “I will do everything in my power to get this great club back to winning trophies. Our players are exceptional, the group we have assembled to wear the Blue, Black and White next season is filled with young men desperate to make memories together, for themselves, their families and for those who support us week in week out. My task is to ensure my team and I give the players every opportunity to get better, to learn and to grow every single day.

“We are on a journey right now and we have a lot to do, it will not be easy but we will work hard and we will enjoy it.”