Olding could face Irish opposition sooner than expected

Olding could be back playing against Irish opposition sooner than expected it has emerged.

The Belfast Telegraph are reporting that his new club Brive are set to face Connacht this August in a pre-season friendly.

Brive are set to play the Galway based PRO14 side at Arnac Pompadour near Brive on August 11.

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Last week Olding signed a two-year deal with French club Brive, who will be in the second tier of French rugby next season.

The former Ulster man has been looking for a new club since Ulster and the IRFU terminated his contract following the high-profile court case surrounding him and provincial and international teammate Paddy Jackson.

Although Brive were relegated, Olding is on very good terms with incoming coach Jeremy Davidson.

Davidson is a former Ulster second-row who has spent the last seven years in France and has impressed in coaching roles with both Aurillac and Bordeaux. It was announced earlier this month that Davidson would take charge at Brive for the 2018/19 season, signing a three-year contract with the now Pro D2 club.

With Davidson’s Belfast connection and at least one season to be spent down in the Pro D2 and away from the media spotlight, is likely to have helped Olding make the decision.

The future still remains unclear for his former Ulster teammate Paddy Jackson. Jackson has been heavily linked with Perpignan, who are eager to sign a major 10 ahead of the new season.

RugbyPass columnist and former Ireland backrow Neil Best believes the deal will go ahead.

#Friday this week @paddyjackson10 will sign for @usap_officiel #Perpignan #SUFTUM @RavenhillRoar pic.twitter.com/ISP6PyZAfj

— Neil Best (@Best6Analysis) June 6, 2018

Meanwhile Ulster continue without an officially signing at 10. They have been linked with two South Africans – Springbok Elton Jantjes and Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Best says the latter may indeed be a better fit.

“So who is this potential South African alternative to Jantjies? Sources have suggested highly regarded Jean-Luc du Plessis would make a much better fit for Ulster. The Stormers ten is three years younger than Jantjies and yet to play for the Springboks.”