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Paddy Jackson's move to France could be about to pay off big style - reports

By Liam Heagney
Paddy Jackson before his Ulster exile (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Paddy Jackson’s career-saving move to France is quickly set to pay off. The sacked Ireland international is reportedly poised to switch from relegation-threatened Perpignan to better-resourced Top 14 club next summer.

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Jackson and Stuart Olding dramatically had their Ulster contracts terminated by the IRFU last April following the controversy stoked by their involvement in the high profile Belfast rape trial.

Both were found not guilty of the court charges laid against them, but Irish rugby authorities believed the pair had still brought they sport into disrepute and the union tore up their contracts following a series of street protests around Ireland.

Jackson – who is currently ranked by the RugbyPass Index (RPI) as the 79th best flyhalf worldwide – was initially thought to be England bound, with Sale Sharks on the radar. However, he was instead snapped up by Perpignan on a two-year deal that has a release clause at the end of the first season next summer which enables rivals teams to buy out the final year of the deal.

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The newly-promoted Catalan club are struggling in the Top 14, losing all 10 matches so far and trailing Agen, the second worst team, by nine points.

This struggle has opened the door for Jackson to consider his options and a Midi Olympique newspaper report on Monday revealed he was at Stade de Gerland last Thursday for talks with Lyon.

The anticipated departure of French out-half Lionel Beauxis to Oyonnax has eighth-place Lyon in the market for an international calibre play-maker. Jackson, who has fitted in well to the Top 14 scene despite Perpignan’s losing streak, is on their recruitment radar and a decision is expected in the next few weeks.

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Jackson was Perpignan’s only scorer in their latest defeat at the weekend, scoring four of his six penalty attempts in their 12-16 home loss to defending champions Castres.

He is the league’s third highest scorer this season, his 89 points just six behind top scorer Gaetan Germain of Grenoble.

Jackson’s early success in France mirrors the progress of former Ulster and Ireland teammate Olding. The centre joined the Jeremy Davidson-coached Brive in May on a one-year deal that was quickly extended to two in October by the PRO D2 leaders.

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Trevor 13 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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