Paddy Jackson linked with French move...and New Zealand - reports

Former Ulster player Paddy Jackson is being linked with potential moves to both France and New Zealand – according to reports.

The news that former teammate and friend Stuart Olding has successfully signed for Brive will no doubt fuel hope that a deal could be done that would see the talented Jackson find a new home too.

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

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Both Jackson and Olding had been believed to have been close to signing with Sale in the Premiership, but a reported inquiry by the Sale Shark’s main sponsors – AJ Bell – appeared to put an abrupt end to the deal.

However, Jackson, the higher profile of the pair has been again linked with potential new clubs, both in France and New Zealand.

The Irish Independent’s David Kelly has drawn a line between departing Ulster coach Jono Gibbes, who is returning to Waikato in his native New Zealand, and Jackson.

Gibbes announced in March that he was returning to New Zealand for family reasons and it was announced this week by Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) that he will be their next head coach. The union also posted a $500,000 NZ profit this year, meaning there may even be room for a significant signing.

While – all things being equal – Jackson would be able to demand far more in Europe than in New Zealand (the Sale Sharks deal alone was reported at £340,000 per annum), considering the controversy that has plagued both him and Olding since they were acquitted of rape, getting away from Europe might be worth the pay cut.

However, Waikato already include on their books a certain Damian McKenzie, who plays for the ‘Mooloos’ when not on Chiefs or All Blacks duty.

One suggestion was that Jackson could be a good fit for nearly promoted Perpignan (USAP).

Irish website Pundit Arena suggested he might make a good match for the club. There is no doubting Jackson would instantly become one of the side’s biggest signings and would add significant star power to the flyhalf depth charts.

The club has some tenuous links to Ireland – with former Munster centre Liefemi Mafi set to retire at the end of this season.

So far Exeter Chiefs, Sale Sharks and ASM Clermont have all distanced themselves from the player. The online witchhunt centred around the allegations that Jackson was acquitted of appears to have scared off a number of clubs, but a player of his talent is unlikely to remain untouchable indefinitely.

It is just a matter time before a team comes forward that is brave enough to win his signature.