The rise and fall of two young stars..

Paddy Jackson Age: 26

Position: Fly-half, inside

centre

Ulster appearances: 123. He made his debut against Llanelli Scarlets in February 2011

Ireland caps: 25. He made debut against Scotland in the Six Nations in 2013 IT is just over 10 years since Paddy Jackson experienced his first taste of triumph.

As a schoolboy he was hailed for heroic efforts in winning the coveted Ulster Schools’ Cup for Methody on March 17, 2008.

Recognised as an impressive and quickthinking player, Jackson made his senior debut for Ulster in 2011 while still a teenager.

Since then there have been many sporting moments to savour – not least stepping out for the first time as the national anthems echoed around Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium in 2013.

Pundits had previously praised his determination, self preservation and ability to bounce back.

Born David Patrick Lindsay James Jackson in Lisburn, Co Antrim, on January 5, 1992, he marked his 26th birthday just weeks before the case opened.

The court heard that Jackson cites some of rugby’s biggest names, including Ireland captain Rory Best, as close personal friends.

Stuart Olding Age: 25

Position: Centre, full-back and out-half

Ulster appearances: 62. He made his debut against old rivals Leinster in December 2011

Ireland caps: Four. He made debut against the USA in June 2013 DESPITE having four Ireland caps and being a regular in Ulster’s starting line-up, Stuart Olding is less well known outside the rugby fraternity than Paddy Jackson.

Indeed several witnesses, including three of the women who attended the house party where the rape had been alleged to have happened on June 28, 2016, said they recognised Jackson but had not heard of Olding.

The high-profile trial, which saw both men acquitted of rape, coincided with Olding’s 25th birthday – 17 years after he first started playing mini rugby.

Born in Belfast, he is the youngest of three brothers. He is single and lives alone within earshot of the famous Ravenhill roar.

Olding attended the £4,000-a-year Ben Madigan Preparatory School in

North Belfast before transferring to Belfast

Royal Academy where his close peer network of

“six girls and six guys” included the British and

Irish Lions star Iain Henderson.