The plot thickens.

Former Ireland and Ulster outhalf Paddy Jackson has indeed signed a contract with Sale Sharks, despite the Premiership side stating otherwise in a statement released earlier this week.

Neil Fissler is reporting in The Rugby Paper that Jackson has signed a three-year deal with the Greater Manchester club worth in excess of £320,000-a-season, rising to £340,000.

His former teammate Stuart Olding has apparently verbally agreed a two-year deal worth £130,000 in his first season, rising to £160,000 in his second with bonuses.

Both players visited Sale’s Carrington training base this week. But a social media outcry, along with concerns from sponsors and season ticket holders – could force the Sharks into trying to find a way out of the deals.

If they were to pull out, Sale could be looking at a huge compensation bill.