Shamed pair should get a second chance
In a purely rugby sense, the former Ulster duo represent potentially useful acquisitions. Jackson has made 25 appearances for Ireland, while Olding has made four. At 26 and 25 respectively, they have plenty of good years ahead of them.
But the sound of their names now sets off a loud alarm bell for many prospective employers.
When linked with a move for Olding, English champions Exeter could not distance themselves quickly enough. “It’s just not on our radar,” said Chiefs forwards’ coach Rob Hunter.
Even though they were found not guilty, the pair are rugby’s equivalent of nuclear waste after being sacked by Ulster following their rape trial.
The facts are as follows. Jackson and Olding were charged with raping the same 19-year-old woman in Jackson’s house on June 28, 2016. They argued that sexual activity had been consensual and were acquitted by a Belfast Court on March 28 this year.
At the conclusion of the nine-week trial, the Irish RFU announced they and Ulster would be conducting their own investigation into the players’ behaviour on the night in question and in subsequent tawdry social media exchanges.
On Saturday, the IRFU announced Jackson and Olding would be released from the remainder of their contracts and Ulster team-mate Craig Gilroy, who had sent Olding a lurid message relating to the night in question, suspended until April 26.
“In arriving at this decision, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby acknowledge our responsibility and commitment to the core values of the game: Respect, inclusivity and integrity,” read a joint statement spelling out the punishments.
The IRFU were within their rights to take the action they did even if, as has been suggested, their hardline stance followed pressure from sponsors.
Jackson and Olding were role models in their community and, innocent of criminality or not, the ugly details revealed in court fell a long way short of model behaviour.
But that does not mean they should be hung out to dry by the wider game. The second chance is part of the fabric of rugby union, a sport that has never been the preserve of just altar boys.
Former England prop Matt Stevens, banned for two years for cocaine use at Bath, was offered an olive branch by Saracens when the suspension expired and became a 2013 Lion. Gavin Henson, sacked by Cardiff Blues in 2012 following a drink-related incident on a flight, was rescued by London Welsh and has spent a productive twilight of his career with the Dragons this season. And just yesterday Newcastle announced they would be giving another opportunity to Tom Arscott to play in the Premiership next season.
The wing was sacked by Sale 14 months ago for passing on team information to Bristol. He had met with his brother Luke, who was on Bristol’s books, the night before the two clubs played and discussed the Sharks’ likely defensive strategy. Dean Richards, Newcastle’s director of rugby, knows all about the value of the second chance too. He was offered the chance to rebuild his career at Kingston Park in 2012 after serving a three-year worldwide coaching ban over the Harlequins ‘Bloodgate’ scandal.
No one is perfect. People make mistakes. Some clearly worse than others.
Jackson and Olding will never escape the notoriety of a rape trial but that does not mean clubs should be squeamish when it comes to signing them.
Someone, somewhere, will hold their noses and take a punt on them, and they should not be lambasted for doing so.