Stuart Olding joins French side Brive

Former Ulster player Stuart Olding has signed for relegated Top 14 club Brive following his departure from the Irish province.

The 25-year-old was found not guilty of rape in March but had his IRFU contract revoked two weeks later.

Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks were linked with the centre, with the Greater Manchester outfit allegedly close to a deal earlier in the month only for the club’s hierarchy to decide against it.

Olding has now penned a two-year deal with Brive, who will play the 2018/19 campaign in France’s second-tier after finishing bottom of the Top 14 table.