Ulster Rugby trial -continued

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New thread.

I wish there was a LIKE button on mumsnet while I'm reading these comments. What a result today. I hope it gives that brave woman a little bit of healing.

Ok, I’m happy to be educated here. How does one identify from a, for example Facebook comment, what class and religion a poster is?

I have to say that the thought never entered my head. Is there some clever way I have missed, of identifying these angry men of a certain financial standing and religious predisposition? Or do they write their salary and the church they rarely attend on the bottom of their profile picture?

Also while I’m being all facetious and obnoxious, can I just clarify what religion and average salary to the women posting in favour of ‘the lads’ hold?

I appear to be missing something glaringly obvious.

No one will be impressed with their school rugby glory days. People won't know who they are

The average person in the street will not know who they are but French rugby followers will have definitely heard of Paddy Jackson who has 25 caps for Ireland and over 120 for Ulster and was generally seen as the heir to Johnny Sextons shirt. I imagine they will be impressed by those rugby achievements rather then their ‘school rugby glory days’

Jackson and Olding have released their statements in response now:

Can be read here

Bit surprised Jackson doesn’t mention suing anyone...

I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a pay off. I wondered before the outcome was announced if there might be negotiations happening.

Pan you're right, French rugby fans will know who Paddy Jackson is. I was thinking more in the context of N Ireland, the whole big fish in a small pond thing, where even non rugby fans would know him. I'd heard of him when he was still a school boy player and I'm not even a huge rugby fan.

OP
On the Marian Finucane show this morning on RTE radio 1, a BBC Radio Northern Ireland journalist said he believed there was a pay off.
The show can be got in a podcast from the RTE radio app.

Thanks eloise

I’d be amazed if there wasn’t a pay off tbh.

DH works in employment law and has had to defend many a ne’er-do-well at disciplinary. We were chatting about this case and I pointed out that with any employer, they’d be held to a standard of behaviour that wouldn’t defame the company. The fact that this is a sports contract wouldn’t make any difference, it would be the same if they worked for a bank, NHS, private company etc.

He agreed, but pointed out in his experience that things can be nicey-nicey during the investigation, but when it comes to crunch time and the employee is realising the potential consequences (ie sacking), that’s when things become interesting. He theorised that based on commentary saying how ingrained this culture is in Irish Rugby, that similar things have been said in group WhatsApp’s with other members of the Irish or Ulster team before, and a threat to release those messages would be enough to make UR and IRFU look at them more favourably when it came to releasing them of their duties.

Jackson might go to France, but I could see Olding keeping the head down and trying to start a new career in a new profession

There’s no way olding just quits rugby
There’s too much money and he’s too good a player for that to happen

He’ll be at an English club next year barring any protest/public campaign, the deal is said to be done.
If it does fall through he’d go to France or Japan

Not saying it’s right one way or the other, but I think the financials etc will mean he won’t walk away and he’s good enough that there’ll be a club willing to sign him

His statement certainly didn’t sound like he was quitting rugby.

Shall we all on here ask UR for a copy of their code of conduct for players.
That would p them off.

FFS really?? How depressing. Have a break boys, oh and here’s a little something to tide you over. See you in a couple of years.

I’m so angry for your friend bumble. And for you too as this must be very hard to see her hurting. I’m glad she has you.

I don’t think they’ll ever be selected for Ireland again. Olding due to ability and Jackson due to the prospective number tens at the moment, Jackson is much better than them currently but probably not so much better that the irfu will take on the headache etc.

For some reason I wouldn’t be overly surprised to see them back at ulster in years to come after a few years away, but logically that doesn’t make sense given the way in which the irfu centralised contracts operate.

Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t realise. Your poor girl. And you. I was never able to tell my parents. I’m so glad she was able to tell you and get your support.