Paddy Jackson, who was cleared of rape, wears kit with Bank of Ireland branding, which has sponsored the club for 20 years ANDREW SURMA/NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGESA key sponsor of Ulster Rugby has said it is “highly concerned” about the behaviour of two players who were accused and cleared of rape. Bank of Ireland, which has sponsored the club for 20 years, has contacted the team’s chief executive over issues raised during the trial of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding. They were acquitted last month, but neither has been allowed to return to the Ulster team pending a review, which is expected to conclude within two weeks. The pair have been criticised for crude WhatsApp messages they had sent each other and which were used as evidence in court. A spokeswoman for Bank of Ireland confirmed to The Times yesterday that it had spoken to the club.

Source: The Times April 11, 2018 23:02 UTC