Former Ulster star Paddy Jackson looks like he could make his first appearance for London Irish next week.
The 27-year-old’s debut could be in for a baptism
of fire as his new club head to Ireland where they will play Munster in a
pre-season friendly at Independent Park next week.
If he does turn out for the Exiles, it will
be his first time to play on Irish soil in over two-years following being
acquitted of rape in March of last year along with former Ulster and Ireland
teammate Stuart Olding.
However, despite being acquitted Jackson
and Olding’s contracts with the IRFU were terminated leading Jackson to move to
France to play for Perpignan before being snapped up by London Irish earlier
this year.
His move to the Madejski Stadium has received
a huge amount of backlash with fans threatening to boycott games, and long-term
sponsor Diageo ending their association with the Premiership outfit.
Despite all the off-field chaos London
Irish defence coach Declan Danaher has told the BBC that Jackson is simply “keen
to get on with business”.
It is a daunting thought for Jackson if he
is to play next week as he would have seen the reception Billy Vunipola had
when his Saracen’s side faced Munster earlier this year following his own
off-field antics.
Jackson’s situation will be even closer to home for the Irish side’s fans hearts, but there were many supporters of him during the trial so it will be interesting to see what happens should he be picked.
