Irish out-half Paddy Jackson is reported to have signed a contract with Aviva Premiership side Sale Sharks, with centre Stuart Olding also expected to join the club.
The pair had their contracts revoked by Ulster Rugby last month. It came after they were unanimously acquited of rape at Belfast crown court in April. Following the case, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby announced they would carry out a joint internal review after WhatsApp messages were published during the trial.
Protests were then held outside Ulster's stadium while several sponsors including Bank of Ireland and Vodafone voiced concerns over conduct issues raised during the trial. Jackson later apologised for these messages.
The Telegraph are reporting Jackson has signed a bargain contract worth less than £200,000 with Sale, with similar expected for Olding. The club finished seventh this season in the Premiership.
The Sharks have signed 'controversial' players in the past. James O'Connor arrived after his cocaine arrest, Danny Cipriani was signed despite ill-discipline off the field with the Melbourne Rebels and recently their Director of Rugby Steve Diamond lept to the defense of Denny Solomona after the winger was suspended for an alleged homophobic slur.
In the immediate aftermath of the trial, Jackson had released a statement declaring it his immediate priority to get back to work.
