SHIPPING OUT TO Bordeaux was a big decision for Ian Madigan, particularly in relation to his international prospects.
Madigan already has 31 caps at the age of 27, but the Dublin native understands that removing himself from the IRFU system will leave him at a disadvantage when it comes to the prospect of adding to that tally.
Madigan has been in fine form off the tee.
Those at home will be favoured, that is the way things work. Madigan accepted that fact and pushed ahead with the transfer anyway, determined to establish himself as the starting out-half in Bordeaux.
The one way he can guarantee continued involvement under Joe Schmidt is by playing the best rugby of his career in France.
He has had a solid start to life in the Top 14, wearing the 10 shirt in five of UBB’s eight games so far and featuring off the bench twice, as director of rugby Raphaël Ibañez has used France international Lionel Beauxis to share the workload at out-half.
The return of New Zealander Simon Hickey, who is with Auckland for the Mitre 10 Cup campaign, will provide Madigan with another rival at out-half, so he has been keen to impress early on.
Madigan, always reliable off the tee, has kicked 79 points in total – including one long-range drop goal – while he is integrating into the often-expansive style of rugby employed by Bordeaux.
“I think it’s been building every week,” says Madigan of his adaptation.
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“When you’re playing in a new league with a new team, different language, playing in different stadiums in a different climate, there’s plenty of challenges there.
“I don’t think I’ve played my best rugby here yet, but I think I’m getting there. I’m improving week on week and I hope I’ll have my best game this weekend.”
Madigan's cross-field kick sets up Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Indeed, Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Ulster [KO 1pm Irish time, Sky Sports 3] provides Madigan with a fine opportunity to further convince Ibañez and the Stade Chaban Delmas crowd of his quality.
Bordeaux sit fifth in the Top 14 after eight rounds, with five wins under their belt, but a good start to life in the Champions Cup would be welcome. While the French side have firepower of their own, Madigan is excited about his new side going up against the Test ability of Ulster.
“They have class throughout their backline,” says Madigan. “They have real quality and experience at scrum-half; Ruan Pienaar is a proven international and he’s been brilliant for Ulster.
“Paddy [Jackson] is a great player who has been growing year on year, his confidence is getting better, he’s very, very fast. He’s got a good passing game, he’s got a good kicking game, he’s got a good break and he’s very confident in the tackle.
“Last year, he really showed how much of a leader he’s developed into, which is great for him and the Ulster team.” Madigan points to Charles Piutau as “one of the best fullbacks in the world, who is very dangerous on counter-attack and hits the line very well,” while he also highlights the experience of captain Andrew Trimble and the form of Craig Gilroy.
“We know we’re going to have to be switched on in defence this week. To break that backline down, we’re going to have to come up with some creative plays.”
The fact that Madigan and Jackson have been rivals for the back-up slot to Johnny Sexton with Ireland in recent times has been played up repeatedly this week, understandably so.
Madigan played for Ireland in South Africa in June. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
But Madigan stresses that he’s not concentrating on any such ‘head-to-head’ contest.
“The match within a match, it’s not who plays better than who,” says Madigan. “If Bordeaux beat Ulster, it’s a win for me. That’s all I’m concerned about – doing as best I can for the team, so we win.
“I’m not concerned about proving that I’m a better player than Paddy or showing that. If I go down that route, it’s teeing myself up to play a very poor game.
“When you’re playing in the out-half position, it’s about being in the control room and doing what’s best for the team over 80 minutes. That’s what I’m going to look to do over the weekend.”
Bordeaux's Ian Madigan - 'I don't think I've played my best rugby here yet'
SHIPPING OUT TO Bordeaux was a big decision for Ian Madigan, particularly in relation to his international prospects.
Madigan already has 31 caps at the age of 27, but the Dublin native understands that removing himself from the IRFU system will leave him at a disadvantage when it comes to the prospect of adding to that tally.
Those at home will be favoured, that is the way things work. Madigan accepted that fact and pushed ahead with the transfer anyway, determined to establish himself as the starting out-half in Bordeaux.
The one way he can guarantee continued involvement under Joe Schmidt is by playing the best rugby of his career in France.
He has had a solid start to life in the Top 14, wearing the 10 shirt in five of UBB’s eight games so far and featuring off the bench twice, as director of rugby Raphaël Ibañez has used France international Lionel Beauxis to share the workload at out-half.
The return of New Zealander Simon Hickey, who is with Auckland for the Mitre 10 Cup campaign, will provide Madigan with another rival at out-half, so he has been keen to impress early on.
Madigan, always reliable off the tee, has kicked 79 points in total – including one long-range drop goal – while he is integrating into the often-expansive style of rugby employed by Bordeaux.
“I think it’s been building every week,” says Madigan of his adaptation.
“When you’re playing in a new league with a new team, different language, playing in different stadiums in a different climate, there’s plenty of challenges there.
“I don’t think I’ve played my best rugby here yet, but I think I’m getting there. I’m improving week on week and I hope I’ll have my best game this weekend.”
Indeed, Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Ulster [KO 1pm Irish time, Sky Sports 3] provides Madigan with a fine opportunity to further convince Ibañez and the Stade Chaban Delmas crowd of his quality.
Bordeaux sit fifth in the Top 14 after eight rounds, with five wins under their belt, but a good start to life in the Champions Cup would be welcome. While the French side have firepower of their own, Madigan is excited about his new side going up against the Test ability of Ulster.
“They have class throughout their backline,” says Madigan. “They have real quality and experience at scrum-half; Ruan Pienaar is a proven international and he’s been brilliant for Ulster.
“Paddy [Jackson] is a great player who has been growing year on year, his confidence is getting better, he’s very, very fast. He’s got a good passing game, he’s got a good kicking game, he’s got a good break and he’s very confident in the tackle.
“Last year, he really showed how much of a leader he’s developed into, which is great for him and the Ulster team.” Madigan points to Charles Piutau as “one of the best fullbacks in the world, who is very dangerous on counter-attack and hits the line very well,” while he also highlights the experience of captain Andrew Trimble and the form of Craig Gilroy.
“We know we’re going to have to be switched on in defence this week. To break that backline down, we’re going to have to come up with some creative plays.”
The fact that Madigan and Jackson have been rivals for the back-up slot to Johnny Sexton with Ireland in recent times has been played up repeatedly this week, understandably so.
But Madigan stresses that he’s not concentrating on any such ‘head-to-head’ contest.
“The match within a match, it’s not who plays better than who,” says Madigan. “If Bordeaux beat Ulster, it’s a win for me. That’s all I’m concerned about – doing as best I can for the team, so we win.
“I’m not concerned about proving that I’m a better player than Paddy or showing that. If I go down that route, it’s teeing myself up to play a very poor game.
“When you’re playing in the out-half position, it’s about being in the control room and doing what’s best for the team over 80 minutes. That’s what I’m going to look to do over the weekend.”
Bordeaux (v Ulster):
15. Jean-Marcellin Buttin
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
13. Jean-Baptiste Dubié
12. Romain Lonca
11. Blair Connor
10. Ian Madigan
9. Yann Lesgourgues
1. Jefferson Poirot
2. Clement Maynadier
3. Vadim Cobilas
4. Jandre Marais (captain)
5. Cyril Cazeaux
6. Luke Jones
7. Hugh Chalmers
8. Loann Goujon
Replacements:
16. Ole Avei
17. Sébastien Taofifenua
18. Marc Clerc
19. Tom Palmer
20. Marco Tauleigne
21. Baptiste Serin
22. Lionel Beauxis
23. Metuisela Talebula
Kilcoyne passed fit but Earls misses out for Munster’s weekend in Paris
Trimble returns to captain Ulster but no Bowe for Champions Cup opener
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European Rugby Champions Cup Exiles Ian Madigan Irish Abroad mads Ulster