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Published 13:42 14 Apr 2018 BST
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The joint statement released by Ulster and the IRFU noted that the players' contracts had been revoked with immediate effect after the conclusion of an internal review. Both men had been found not guilty, in March, of rape and assault charges after a drawn-out trial in Belfast but the internal review sealed their fate.
The final two paragraphs of the joint statement reads:
'In arriving at this decision, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby acknowledge our responsibility and commitment to the core values of the game: Respect, Inclusivity and Integrity. 'It has been agreed, as part of this commitment, to conduct an in-depth review of existing structures and educational programmes, within the game in Ireland, to ensure the importance of these core values is clearly understood, supported and practised at every level of the game.'The statement was relatively short and it was devoid of emotion. The news was delivered straight, as it should have been, and with no acknowledgement to the playing contributions of either man. Craig Gilroy, their former teammate at Ulster, was also hit with a suspension for a private message sent via WhatsApp that emerged during the Belfast trial. While both players thanked Ulster Rugby and Ireland - as well as family and friends - the feeling was not mutual from their former employers. Given the seriousness of the offences from Jackson and Olding - with respect and integrity their major failings on and around that fateful house party in Jackson's house on June 26th 2016 - saying 'thank you' would have rankled with many. Both men will now look to rebuild their lives over the coming months. Whether or not those lives include playing professionally for another side remains to be seen. The events of June 26th 2016 will forever be with them, but they are not the only ones.
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