While Leinster fans are, no doubt, rejoicing at the capture of Robbie Henshaw, the province remains short in a few key positions.
The Leinster backline has the potential to be very special in 2016/17. Henshaw will be joining the likes of Johnny Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, Garry Ringrose and Rob Kearney.
The Leinster midfield now looks well stacked. So much so that Fitzgerald may now concentrate on the left wing while Fergus McFadden dukes it out with Dave Kearney for a spot on the other flank. Ireland international Noel Reid is another midfield contender.
One player that Leinster will certainly miss next season is Ian Madigan. The 26-year-old has the temperament and ability to cover four backline spots for Leinster. Five, if you listen to Joe Schmidt and his claims about Madigan’s scrum-half skills.
Under Matt O’Connor, Madigan often covered inside centre when Jimmy Gopperth was handed the No.10 jersey.
The writing looked on the wall for Madigan when Johnny Sexton returned to Leinster as starting out-half. Madigan was undeterred, however, and vowed to remain on to fight for his spot.
That situation, and his resolve, changed when, Leinster, many months ago, lined up Connacht’s Robbie Henshaw as their priority signing.
David McHugh, who looks after Madigan’s affairs, told SportsJOE just how the player was left with a tough decision. He said:
“When your club recruits a world-class 10, in your position, you are naturally pushed to number two. It’s the same with the national team.
“Your second preferred position is 12. Rumours were, there was another world-class centre [Henshaw] coming to Leinster this year. Secondly, Ian is not a big guy. 12 is a hugely attritional position in the modern game.
“Ian said ‘I want to play in a club and want to be the starting 10. I want to play rugby. What opportunities are out there for me?… Money was a consideration but it was not a motivator.'”
In collaboration with player agency Esportif, clubs in England and France were looked at before Bordeaux-Beglés showed a keen interest. It was merely a coincidence that Madigan’s family owned a holiday home in Bordeaux.
Madigan will run the gambit of impinging on international selection by playing abroad but he hopes not. At Bordeaux, he has been guaranteed a chance to bed into the 10 jersey and be the club’s goal-kicker.
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