Former Ulster and Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson will not make the trip to Ireland this weekend for Perpignan’s Challenge Cup match with Connacht at the Sportsground.
Jackson said earlier this week that it would be great to play on Irish soil again but he will now have to wait a little longer for that opportunity after he was excluded from the Perpignan travelling party with fly-halves Enzo Selponi and Paul Marty both preferred to the Belfast native.
Perpignan lost their eleventh consecutive league game when they were defeated 22-11 at home to Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday.
Jackson signed for the seven-time champions in June after Ulster and the IRFU agreed to revoke his contract following his acquittal of all charges from a Belfast rape trial.
According to Midi Olympique, a French bi-weekly newspaper specialising in rugby, Jackson has become a top priority for Lyon who will be looking to replace France international Lionel Beauxis following his defection to Oyonnax next season.
Midi claim that Jackson has an exit clause in his contract, in case of relegation of Perpignan to Pro D2, that would permit the fly-half to leave the club.
There’s also said to be a clause where other clubs could buy out the final year of Jackson’s two-year agreement.
Perpignan squad
Forwards : Quentin Walcker, Kevin Tougne, Sylvain Charlet, Nicolas Lemaire, Yassin Boutemmani, Manu Leiataua, Raphael Carbou, Berend Botha, Tristan Labouteley, Yohan Vivalda, Johannes Van Heerden, Alban Roussel, Pierre Reynaud, Michael Faleafa, Edoardo Iachizzi, Alan Brazo.
Backs : Tom Ecochard, Sadek Deghmache, Enzo Selponi, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Pierre Lucas, Julien Farnoux, Paul Marty, Sau Eroni, Lotima Fainga’anuku, Jonathan Bousquet.
