They were hastily arranged, emotionally charged protests, but the message was unanimous: The manner in which cases of rape and sexual abuse are handled needs to change.

They said there were no winners in the rugby rape trial case, but it could yet be the catalyst for an overhaul of the legal process where currently the burden of proof is on the victim and not the accused.

The case cast light on a culture of contempt and entitlement in sport, but rugby in particular, and it would be fascinating to examine where the sympathies of Jackson’s and Olding’s team-mates lay, writes Paul Rouse

Social media has seen both promises of demonstrations, and now-deleted controversial comments from sports players, following the Belfast rape trial.

Laois GAA have issued a statement to disassociate themselves from a tweet sent by one of the county's star footballers after the conclusion of the rugby rape trial.

The verdicts were returned after the jury had deliberated for three hours and 45 minutes.

Your lunchtime news bulletin.

A rape trial of two Ireland and Ulster rugby players has been delayed because of a sick juror.

Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding’s rape trial will begin hearing evidence in their defence today.

Two Ireland and Ulster rugby stars are due to go on trial accused of rape.

The scores and scorers from today's Division 1B action

Ballynahinch sealed the Division 1B title and a place in the top flight of the Ulster Bank League for the first time with a 41-8 victory over Buccaneers at Ballymacarn Park this afternoon.

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

Ballynahinch were back in free-scoring form on their home patch this afternoon as they showed no mercy to Division 1B’s bottom side Ballymena.

As Ireland international selection calls go, Declan Kidney’s choice to toss in Ulster’s Paddy Jackson against Scotland ahead of Ronan O’Gara is pretty seismic.

Ulster Rugby management have included young academy back row Conor Joyce in the 24-man provisional squad ahead of Friday’s RaboDirect PRO12 game against Treviso (6.05pm Irish time).

Half-backs Michael Heaney and Niall O’Connor have been included in the starting line up for Ulster’s RaboDirect PRO12 showdown with Zebre at the Stadio XXV Aprile on Sunday (2pm Irish time).

With a number of players on International duty, Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has taken the opportunity to include some fresh faces in his provisional squad for Sunday's re-arranged RaboDirect PRO12 game against Zebre at the Stadio XXV Aprile (2pm).

Ulster scrum-half Paul Marshall believes his team must raise their game for the visit of Rob Penney’s Munster side to Ravenhill on Friday (7.05pm).

Ulster head coach Brian McLaughlin could not hide his frustration after his side fell to a 36-8 defeat to Munster in Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting at Thomond Park.

Brian McLaughlin has made 10 changes to the Ulster XV for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Munster at Thomond Park (kick off 7.30pm).

Stephen Ferris and Rory Best will be rested for Ulster’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Munster in Thomond Park on Saturday (7.30pm) and so are not included in the 32 man preliminary squad.

Ballymena 6 Garrowen 24

Ulster remain hopeful that Chris Henry and Paul Marshall will be fit to play Edinburgh in Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final (5.45pm).

Paul Marshall is the only fresh injury concern for Ulster as Brian McLaughlin today named a strong preliminary Ulster squad to face Leinster at Ravenhill in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Friday (5.15pm).

Ballynahinch are the new leaders of Ulster Bank League Division 1B having come from behind to grab a share of the spoils with UCD this afternoon.

Ballymena claimed the scalp of Bruff, who are always a formidable prospect at Kilballyowen Park, as John Andrews’ side moved up to fifth in the Division 1B table.

Ballymena took the spoils in a rain-hit Division 1B opener against UCC at the Mardyke where centre Alisdair Frazer scored the only try.

Following Saturday’s 15-10 victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli, the Leinster management report no major fresh injury concerns aside from the usual bumps and bruises ahead of the visit of Aironi to the RDS on Saturday (6.30pm).

The Leinster team to face the Scarlets in Saturday evening's RaboDirect PRO12 clash in Parc y Scarlets (6.30pm) sees three changes, all in the pack, from the side that lost to Glasgow Warriors.

Ulster have named a youthful side to take on Neath in this Friday's friendly at The Gnoll (kick off 19.15).

The Ireland Under 20 Team has been named for the final game of the RBS 6 Nations Championship against England Under 20 in Dubarry Park.

IRELAND U20 missed a chance of victory as Paddy Jackson struck the post with an injury-time conversion at Parc Y Scarlets.

New Irish U20 coach Mike Ruddock has named his side for Friday’s opening Six Nations Championship game against Italy in Parma, kick-off 6pm.