ASAP.

An online petition to get Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding reinstated and back playing for Ulster Rugby has gathered some serious momentum, after being set-up over the weekend., reaching almost 6,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Both players were stood down by Ulster Rugby and the IRFU over the summer after it emerged charges of rape had be brought against the international duo.

The pair were found not guilty last month after a lengthy and hugely publicised trial at Belfast Crown Court. But they are yet to return to rugby as Ulster and the IRFU carry out an internal review.

The petition says that the fact that Jackson and Olding have “already been forced through a very public trial and been suspended from playing throughout this trial” is “punishment enough” and that “Ulster Rugby should be showing support to their players who were found not guilty”.

“If Ulster Rugby need to enforce to these players how behaviour in their private lives may affect their career as rugby players then this should be stated clearly to the players as a warning not to repeat such behaviour again as it will carry consequences for themselves and others such as what they have gone through,” the petition reads.

“However, these players have not broken any sporting rules and therefore, need to be back playing in Ulster shirts as soon as possible.”

It also calls for support for Craig Gilroy, who was dropped from Ulster’s squad last weekend, as he was subject to an internal review by Ulster Rugby and the IRFU in relation to WhatsApp messages that were used as evidence during the trial.