Stuart Olding linked with move to join former Ulster lock at French club

Former Ulster and Ireland centre Stuart Olding has been linked with a move to join former Ulster, Ireland and Lions second-row Jeremy Davidson at Brive next season.

Olding has not been able to find a new club since his Ulster and IRFU contract was revoked last month following a joint internal review between the province and the union in the wake of his acquittal of rape charges at Belfast Crown Court in March. Olding and former Ulster and Ireland teammate Paddy Jackson were both cleared of all charges in the case, however, neither player has since been able to secure a contract for next season with Sale Sharks, Exeter Chiefs and Clermont all publicly distancing their clubs from both players after initial reports linked them to the respective clubs. French rugby outlet  Midi Olympique are reporting that Olding is very fond of Davidson, the new manager of Brive, and that the centre would have even visited the facilities of the corrézien club. Davidson worked as the Bordeaux-Bègles forwards coach last season but takes over at Brive following a disastrous season where the club were relegated to the PRO D2 after finishing bottom of the Top 14 with just seven wins from 26 games. The former Lions lock replaces Nicolas Godignon as head coach at Brive and Davidson said that he cannot wait to rebuild what he sees as one of the biggest clubs in France. "I am very proud to join the CAB," said Davidson following his appointment earlier this month. "My motivation is flawless. I can not wait to rebuild and move on with Brive, who is a team with a big heart for me. The club is one of the largest in this country."