No comment.

Ireland captain Rory Best has refused to comment on his appearance at Belfast Crown Court during the week, for the trial of Ulster teammates Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.

Best, along with Ireland teammate Iain Henderson, were pictured in attendance for day three of the trial on Wednesday. The players were on an off-day from Irish Rugby camp.

Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations game against France, Best responded with “no comment” to the questions about the trial. Head coach Joe Schmidt also refused to comment yesterday when he was asked if he granted the pair permission.

“We are in no position to comment on that. It is a legal matter.” Schmidt said.

Meanwhile the alleged victim was cross-examined by Paddy Jackson’s defence lawyer this morning. She has denied watering down her knowledge of the sport and its players.

She also said that on the night she was allegedly attacked by the two players she had not gone into a nightclub VIP section specifically to meet players.

“Have you watered down your following of rugby or your knowledge of the people who played it?” Jackson’s defence Lawyer said.

She responded:

“Not at all. I have not watered down anything.”

Both Jackson and Olding deny raping the woman at a house in south Belfast in June 2016. You can read more about day five of the case here.