Paddy Jackson
Paddy Jackson (born 5 January 1992) is an Irish professional rugby union player who competes as a fly-half for Lyon OU in the French Top 14 league.[1][2] He represented the Ireland national team, earning 25 caps between 2013 and 2017, during which he contributed to several Six Nations campaigns and scored points including penalties and conversions.[3][4] Jackson debuted for Ulster in 2011, accumulating 123 appearances and establishing himself as a key playmaker before mutually parting ways with the club in 2018.[5] His departure followed a high-profile trial in which he and fellow Ulster player Stuart Olding were acquitted by unanimous jury verdict of raping a 19-year-old woman at a 2016 house party; however, sexually explicit WhatsApp messages exchanged among the players, revealed during proceedings, prompted widespread condemnation and an independent review by the Irish Rugby Football Union that cleared him to resume playing but ultimately led to his release amid public pressure.[6][7][8] Since then, Jackson has played for USAP Perpignan, London Irish—where he was the Premiership's top points scorer in 2022–23—and Lyon OU, extending his contract with the latter through 2026 while rebuilding his career abroad.[9][1]
Early life
Upbringing and education
David Patrick Lindsay James Jackson was born on 5 January 1992 in Lisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.[10] [11] His family briefly relocated to Birmingham, England, due to his father's employment but returned to Belfast while Jackson was still of primary school age.[12] Jackson attended Methodist College Belfast, where his aptitude for rugby was cultivated through school teams and inter-school matches.[11] [13] He gained early exposure to the sport via mini-rugby with Belfast Harlequins, fostering skills that led to recognition in provincial youth rugby circles prior to his professional pathway.[12] Jackson departed the school at age 18, having earned A-level qualifications graded B, C, and D.[10] [12]Club career
Ulster (2011–2018)
Paddy Jackson joined the Ulster Rugby academy in 2011 after standout performances with Dungannon in the All Ireland League.[5] He made his senior debut for Ulster against the Scarlets in early 2011.[5] Primarily deployed as fly-half, Jackson quickly became a key playmaker, leveraging his kicking accuracy and distribution skills to orchestrate attacks. Over his tenure from 2011 to 2018, Jackson amassed 123 appearances for Ulster, scoring nearly 900 points, predominantly through penalties and conversions.[5] [4] In the 2013 Heineken Cup pool stage, he contributed 17 points, including multiple penalties and conversions, in a 23-13 victory over Leicester Tigers at Ravenhill.[14] Ulster advanced to the quarter-finals that season, where Jackson featured prominently before a narrow defeat to Saracens. [15] The 2013–14 campaign highlighted Jackson's consistency in the Pro12, where he added crucial points, such as 13 in a second-half comeback win over Treviso.[16] His reliable goal-kicking—often exceeding 80% success rates in domestic fixtures—supported Ulster's competitive standing, including multiple top-four finishes. [17] By 2017, he had played 118 matches and accumulated 831 points, underscoring his role as Ulster's primary out-half.[18]