Jackson linked with Perpignan

PADDY Jackson is understood to be close to joining Stuart Olding in relocating to France as both bid to kick-start their playing careers after being cut loose by Ulster.

While Olding has already signed up with Brive, who will play in the second tier of French rugby after being relegated from the Top 14, Jackson has been linked with a possible move to Perpignan, who have just been promoted to the top flight.

With Perpignan returning next season to the big time of the Top 14, it is thought that Jackson could now be in their sights as the Catalan club seek to re-establish themselves after four years away from the elite league.

Considerable speculation has surrounded the playing future of the 26year-old Ireland international, with rumours of a potential move to Clermont already having been met with a public denial by the Top 14 club.

Jackson has also even been mentioned in connection to taking a long-haul flight aimed at potentially hooking up with former Ulster head coach Jono Gibbes on the playing roster at Waikato in New Zealand.

Earlier links to Premiership outfit Sale Sharks, who had been poised to sign both Jackson and Olding, were also met with a public statement denying that the pair would be heading to the club.

Jackson has been without a club since April after he and Olding’s contracts were revoked by Ulster and the Irish Rugby Football Union following an internal review in the wake of the pair being acquitted of rape charges in March.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Olding had signed a two-year deal with Pro D2 side Brive, where the new head coach is former Ulster and Ireland player Jeremy Davidson.