EXILES FACING ANGRY PADDY
Furious fans blast London Irish for signing Jackson a year after he was acquitted in rape trial
JUDD TRUMP has revealed that being branded a ‘bottler’ by Twitter trolls drove him on to his first world title. ‘The Juddernaut’ beat John Higgins 18-9 in the final of the Betfred World Championship. But ‘choker’ taunts during a 10-9 firstround win over Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh made Trump (left) determined to prove doubters wrong.
He said: “There have been plenty of tweets over the years. There was one from the first round I remember. It said, ‘Judd Trump is bottling it again’. It annoyed me and gave me the fire.” LONDON IRISH have sparked an angry backlash among their own fans by signing Paddy Jackson, the Ireland fly-half acquitted of rape.
Jackson joins Lions flanker Sean O’Brien and Australia prop Sekope Kepu as the latest signings at the newly-promoted Exiles.
But his arrival brought a furious reaction on social media, coming a year on from a high-profile court case which rocked Ireland.
“I feel sick about this. What a slap in the face to your female fans,” wrote one supporter. Another tweeted: “Will have to think hard about taking my daughters to games.”
Jackson and Ulster team-mate Stuart Holding were found not guilty after a nine-week trial, but their contracts with both province and Ireland Rugby Football Union was terminated after a review.
Thousands took to the streets across Ireland to protest against the verdict. Many more vented their feelings on social media using the hashtag #IBelieveHer. The hashtag returned in force yesterday to greet Jackson’s arrival from French club Perpignan.
The 27-year-old told of his delight to be joining at “such an exciting and pivotal time for everyone involved with the club”, but many took a different view.
“This is a disgrace,” tweeted another fan. “As an
Irish woman in London and supporter, I am beyond disappointed and disgusted.
“As a club that prides itself on community and values…what on earth are you thinking? You have my support no longer.”
Exiles director of rugby Declan Kidney (above) admitted the “spectrum for thoughts on this one were going to be a lot wider than other signings because of what has gone on in the past”.
But he added: “We are just trying to move on to the future. We are fully aware that there was a court case that Paddy was involved in, but that has been dealt with.
“We are trying to put the best team together and, when someone with a bit of international experience becomes available and is willing to buy into what we are doing, we are very happy to have them join us.”
As Jackson arrived, England star James Haskell, 34, announced his retirement.
After two years dogged by ankle and toe problems, Northampton’s back row said: “I’ve never spent so much time injured.”