New contract keeps Paddy Jackson with Ulster until 2019

ULSTER OUT-HALF Paddy Jackson will remain with his native province for at least two more years after his new contract was announced today.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

The 25-year-old Ireland international made the first of his 118 appearances for the northern province in 2011, aged 19, but has become one of the most important tenets of his team as the first-choice 10 since the departure of Iain Humphreys.

Over the past year, after being overlooked for the 2016 Six Nations campaign, he has brought his international cap haul to 22 with Jonathan Sexton injured for the summer tour of South Africa, the latter stages of the November Tests and the opening weeks of this year’s Six Nations.

“I believe that the pillars for success are in place here at Ulster with a quality squad and management team,” the 25-year-old said.

“I am hugely excited by the challenges that lie ahead and I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me to this point in my career.”

Director of rugby, Les Kiss, who will welcome Jono Gibbes on board as head coach next season was thrilled to have Jackson signed on on until the summer of 2019 – three months before the Rugby World Cup.

“To have Paddy commit to Ulster for a further two seasons is a huge boost. He progressed through the Academy structures here and has grown into a fantastic player and leader, who commands the respect of the entire squad.

“He is the type of player that we can build the team around and it’s important that we have home-grown talent at the forefront of what we’re trying to achieve here. His ability and leadership will be critical for us in the future.

“Paddy’s form over the past few years has been widely acknowledged and it was no surprise that there was a lot of interest in him from other big European clubs.”

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