IT’S PADDY BACKSON
Former Ulster out-half set for quick return to Ireland with Perpignan
PADDY JACKSON could make a quick playing return to Ireland with Perpignan after yesterday’s European draws.
Jackson’s new club are heading to Galway after drawing Connacht in the Challenge Cup.
Ireland international out-half Jackson’s central IRFU contract with Ulster was cancelled following his rape trial acquittal in mid-may.
After being linked with a number of clubs in England and France, the 26-year-old signed to Perpignan recently and he began training with the French club earlier this week.
However it remains to be seen if Jackson travels to the Sportsground, given the inconsistency of French clubs in terms of selecting their best players for European action – and the publicity his playing return to Ireland would generate.
Sale Sharks and Bordeaux Begles are the other teams in that pool.
In the Champions Cup, holders Leinster will take on a trio of clubs in Pool 1 that failed to qualify for the knockout stages – Premiership clubs Bath and Wasps plus Toulouse.
For head coach Leo Cullen, the draw brings him back to earth quite quickly after the success achieved last term.
He said: “Wasps, we had a couple of very tough outings against them in the pool stages a couple of years ago so we know how tough a team they are.
“Toulouse have won the tournament four times so they know how to do it. They’re one of the great teams. We tried to follow their example for many years.
“It will be an exciting encounter against them as well.
“All the teams in our pool have won the tournament before. “As always, it’s an incredibly tough pool”. Munster were handed a difficult draw, paired with the current Top 14 champions Castres and Premiership runners-up Exeter Chiefs in Pool 2, plus Gloucester. “Castres are the champions of France and will prove extremely difficult opponents as the top seeds,” said Munster supremo Johann van Graan (inset). “It is a very tough draw for us.”
Ulster – who only qualified for next season’s competition on the back of a play-off victory over Ospreys last month – will take on the beaten Champions Cup and Top 14 finalists Racing in Pool 4.
If that doesn’t make it difficult enough for new head coach Dan Mcfarland, Scarlets – the beaten Pro14 finalists – are also in that pool, along with twotime winners Leicester Tigers.