Paddy Jackson set for reunion with Declan Kidney and Les Kiss at London Irish

Paddy Jackson is set to conclude a brief stint in France with Perpignan after agreeing a deal to move to London Irish at the end of the season.
The Championship leaders are coached by Declan Kidney and Les Kiss, who Jackson has experience playing for on both the international and club scene during the duo’s spells in charge of Ireland and Ulster, respectively.
Capped 25 times by Ireland, Jackson had his contract at Ulster terminated following the release of lewd messages exchanged in a WhatsApp group involving his old Ulster teammate Stuart Olding and two friends.
The messages were released during the time of Jackson’s trial at Belfast Magistrates’ Court in 2017, where he was unanimously acquitted of rape and sexual assault charges. Three other defendants were also acquitted of charges they all denied.
The 27-year-old subsequently signed for Perpignan after speculation he and Olding were both targets for Sale Sharks. But the French club, promoted as PRO D2 champions, appear to be on their way out of the Top 14 and going down without a wimper after failing to win any of their 14 matches so far.
Jackson is set to switch allegiances to London Irish who are themselves set to be playing in a new league next season. The Exiles hold a nine-point lead at the summit of the Championship, winning 11 of their 12 matches to be on the verge of an immediate return to the Premiership.