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Paddy Jackson signing sparks Twitter storm
London Irish’s recent announcement of signing former Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson has been marred in controversy on social media.
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The 25-year-old will team up with Declan Kidney’s newly promoted side from French outfit Perpignan a year after having his contract with Ulster and the Irish Rugby Football Union terminated. This is after he was acquitted alongside fellow Ulster player Stuart Olding of rape in early 2018.
Despite being cleared, a series of WhatsApp messages by the players have since caused outrage, making Jackson a very unpopular figure.
Consequently, many people have vehemently disagreed with the Exiles signing Jackson, with some supporting boycotting the club. One fan said how they were “beyond disappointed and disgusted” by this on Twitter, while another said that people’s memories last “a lot longer than a season in France”.
This was a deal that had been anticipated for a while, and many predicted that it would prove as controversial as it has. It seems impossible to see how Irish will be able to appease these fans that are horrified by this signing. This is what they have said:
I was looking forward to bringing my 2 y.o. 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?
— Gary O'Reilly (@gary_o_reilly) May 7, 2019
this is a disgrace. 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.
— The Morrigan (@sarkorama) May 7, 2019
Very disappointing
— John Whelan (@seanbanofaolain) May 7, 2019
A sickening decision from London Irish. #IBelieveHer and I always will – fuck Paddy Jackson https://t.co/tww9PQ2TMZ
— Katherine Nesbitt (@_kittybitty) May 7, 2019
Disgusted to hear Paddy Jackson has been signed by @London Irish rugby. Declan Kidney should be ashamed
— mariem (@areyousreious) May 7, 2019
Peoples have long memories. A lot longer than a season in France. Lack of class @LiRFC
— Paul Rouse (@singleputter) May 7, 2019
That may not be well received…
— Jay Gurden (@txljay) May 7, 2019
Gives me another reason to dislike them, sadly.
— Charlie Thomas (@CThomas663) May 7, 2019
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While there is a huge number of those showing heavy censure at this news, there are many that are equally looking forward to the arrival of Jackson. There is no denying that the former Ireland standoff is a high quality player, and many seem to look beyond his past and will judge him for what he produces on the pitch.
Some have also mentioned how Jackson was not found guilty, however, that does not suffice for many, who do not think that he should be awarded a contract.
Nonetheless, some see this as a great coup for London Irish:
Wow a brilliant pice of work! Fantastic signing and welcome Paddy to the Green Army ??
— Bryan Monument (@BryanMonument) May 7, 2019
Fantastic signing, welcome to the club!
— Nigel Charlton (@Norg2072) May 7, 2019
Great to have such a great talent in his prime ready to reinvent himself at Irish – hopefully as time progresses he will become one of the many LI players who represents Ireland again.
— Séan Douglas (@eretail) May 7, 2019
I know alot of people may be dubious. But I honestly think he'll be a great player for the club! Welcome Paddy! ?
— Jamie (@Jamcof1986) May 7, 2019
However, this will surely be the most controversial signing this year, and one that will surely rage on throughout Jackson’s time at the club.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments