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London Irish seal Paddy Jackson deal

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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London Irish have confirmed the signing of Paddy Jackson.

He was linked to a move to the Premiership club back in January, but it’s finally been confirmed.

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The 26-year-old fly-half, who has 25 Ireland caps to his name, joined Perpignan in the summer of 2018. While the Top 14 struggled this season, Jackson’s own form has caught the eye and he was also linked to a move to Lyon.

Jackson is well known to London Irish’s Director of Rugby Declan Kidney and Head Coach Les Kiss. Kidney awarded Jackson his first international cap in 2013, while Kiss worked with the fly-half with both the Ireland national team and Ulster.

“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 commented.

“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.”

The former Ulster player said: “I’m delighted to be joining London Irish next season at such an exciting and pivotal time for everyone involved with the club”

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

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Jackson is the sixth high-profile player to sign for the club ahead of their Premiership return and Jackson will form a halfback partnership with Wallabies scrum half Nick Phipps.

In the pack London Irish have added two more Wallabies – Curtis Rona and Sekope Kepu, along with Ireland back row Sean O’Brien and Scottish prop Allan Dell.

You may also like: Stuart Lancaster press conference ahead of Leinster’s Champions Cup final against Saracens

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Phantom 33 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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