Premiership Rugby side Sale Sharks' sponsor AJ Bell confirmed that it held talks with the club to "discuss the uncertainty" created by the rumors of a potential double signing of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, according to RTÉ. Jackson and Olding had their Ulster and Ireland contracts revoked last month in the "wake of a rape trial in Belfast in which they were both acquitted." Reports midweek suggested Sale was "ready to bring them" to the Premiership, however, the club responded by saying, "We can confirm there is no substance to the rumors currently circulating in relation to the signing of the two international rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding." AJ Bell reportedly aired its concerns over the transfer speculation to Sale Dir of Rugby Steve Diamond, however, a spokesperson for the company denied that it "objected to the move." In a statement, AJ Bell said, "We contacted the club to discuss the uncertainty created by the rumours. No more than that. It is totally wrong to say we objected to the move" (RTÉ, 5/4).
