Two Irish rugby internationals will face trial on rape charges, a Belfast court has decided.

Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding deny raping the same woman at a house in south Belfast in June last year.

The appearance was their first in front of a crown court judge since they were charged three months ago.

Jackson, 25, is charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault while Olding, 24, is charged with two counts of rape.

Jackson has been capped 25 times for Ireland, while Olding has played four times for his country.

Stuart Olding. Photograph: Michael Cooper/Reuters

Two other men are charged in connection with the case.

Blane McIlroy, 25, of Royal Lodge Road, Belfast, is charged with one count of exposure, and Rory Harrison 25, of Manse Road, Belfast, is charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information.

Both deny the charges against them.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Ulster Rugby have said Jackson and Olding will not play for their teams again until the court process concludes.



All of the men were released on bail of £500 each. The date of their full trial is yet to be fixed but it is expected to be early next year.