Sacked.

Stuart Olding and Paddy Jackson have had their IRFU contracts terminated and will leave Ulster Rugby with immediate effect following the backlash from their rape trial.

The IRFU and Ulster Rugby carried out an extensive review, and came to the decision that revoking both players contracts was the correct course of action to take.

Jackson and Olding have both issued statements, and now Rugby Players Ireland have followed suit with one of their own. They say they will work to ensure rugby’s values of respect, integrity and inclusivity are “upheld throughout the rugby family both on and off the pitch.”

They also say they will be examining the review process carried out by the IRFU.

“Rugby Players Ireland acknowledges today’s statements by the IRFU, Ulster Rugby, Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding. We too are committed to rugby’s values of respect, integrity and inclusivity. Through our Player Development Programme we will work to ensure that these values are upheld throughout the rugby family both on and off the pitch.”

“As the representative body for Ireland’s professional rugby players, we will now take time to examine the way in which the review process was carried out by the IRFU. We are not in a position to comment until such time as this has been completed.”