IAN MADIGAN’S CLUB commitments kept him out of Ireland’s plans for the Six Nations opener, even with Jonathan Sexton ultimately ruled out with a calf injury.
The Dubliner was regularly Joe Schmidt’s preferred choice to deputise for Sexton, but his move to Bordeaux has impacted his availability for call-ups to the Irish training camps.
With Sexton set to miss the Murrayfield meeting with Scotland, Ian Keatley (who was never officially named in the 40-man squad) and versatile centre Rory Scannell are the only viable back-up options to Paddy Jackson.
Asked whether it was a concern that neither Keatley or Scannell are starting out-halves for their province, forwards coach Simon Easterby responded:
“What’s the alternative?”
To the ensuing suggestion that Ian Madigan might have been considered, Easterby’s response was sharp again.
Is he the first-choice for Bordeaux?”
Madigan is not. The former Leinster back started behind Simon Hickey for the home clash with Clermont on Sunday, kicking a late penalty as a replacement before Clermont responded to claim a 23 – 23 draw.
“Unfortunately he couldn’t be with us last weekend anyway because he was on the bench for Bordeaux against Clermont. So it compromises his position with us when he’s not playing in Ireland,” continued Easterby.
“We’re trying to support the guys who are staying here and, on the whole, that will be the case. Circumstances may allow us to look outside of that, but as it happens at the moment we’ve got three guys in.
“Mads hasn’t been selected in the squad. He couldn’t be involved last week so that didn’t help his cause.”
As Paddy Jackson impressively held the reins for a full tour of South Africa and then in the November win over Australia, the prospect starting a Test match without Sexton certainly doesn’t hold the same grounds for concern as it once did.
However, the depth in that position has been hurt by injury to Joey Carbery as well as the loss of Madigan and JJ Hanrahan to overseas clubs.
Sexton’s latest injury is one of a lengthening list of concerns around the out-half, but while Easterby did not wish to offer any guarantees that the Lions out-half would return to action in time to face Italy or France, he did downplay the seriousness of the issue.
“I think any player goes through a period where they have a number of injuries. We’re fortunate we’ve good guys to come in and be competitive in that position. We’re blessed with the 10s that we have available to us.
Johnny’s unavailable and Joey Carbery is unavailable, players go through injuries and that happens. The longer we linger on it the less effective we can be.”
“Paddy has proven himself over a number of months, but also going back to the summer. He can control the side and dictate the play.
“Johnny is clearly one of the best 10s in the world, but we have to adapt. That’s one of the marks of this team, sometimes we lose key players, sometimes players in key positions. We’re fully supportive and committed to adapting to circumstances and making sure that doesn’t come up as an excuse.”
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I said it once and I’ll say it again; Connacht and Madigan would go together like bangers and mash.
@Dave Barry: They would have in the past but Madigan will be 29 by the time his contract expires at Bordeaux and I’m not sure someone at that age who has never been a starting 10 in his career would be smart business for Connacht. It’s time for everybody to move on, he made his decision to go abroad knowing what it meant.
It’s not uncommon for players to be released from their contacts early and rugby players hit their prime in the late twenties. Either way, bangers and mash.
I think hed be a great fit for connacht. Smashing player when hes on fire, a team like Connacht could really unlock that talent he has
@Dave Barry:@Dave Barry: fully agree! If some real planning had gone into this and Madigan was kept on in the Irish set up by being supported in a move to Connacht then Connacht’s recent out half shortage and Ireland’s current one would have been greatly eased. Plus we could have had Marmion 9, Madigan 10, Aki (soon to be irish qualified at centre), and O’Halloran all playing together week in week out as another (fresh) half back/back line unit. Still not too late for the World Cup, bring him back and send him West.
Madzer in Golway? You’re joking roight? It’s either South County Dublin or the South of France for our man….
Even at the age of 29 Madigan would do well in connacht …. Probably won’t take the offers, connacht wouldn’t be able to offer as much as French side
“Asked whether it was a concern that neither Keatley or Scannell are starting out-halves for their province…”
Not much of a concern really. Look at Rob Kearney.
Give it a break
@Camroc: Jaysus Cormac, it wasn’t a dig at Kearney. It was to indicate the ignorance of these numpty journalists that ask questions at these press conferences.
Is it time Johnny sexton takes a sabbatical like Schdimt hinted a few months back?? Yes Sexton would probably miss the lions, but would a year out see him through to the next World Cup?? Worked for Carter and Mccaw and now I think Kieran Read is taking a year out also
It was time months ago but Sexton refused in November, if he’s not going to make sensible career decisions then Schmidt needs to do what is best for Ireland in terms of who he builds the team around between someone who is ever present and someone who is rarely present and unwilling to take action to remedy that.
And who do you suggest we build the team around?
Surely building a team around one person is a bit risky…
Madigan is great and all, but why does Gareth Steenson’s name never get thrown into these debates? He’s one of the best FH’s in the premiership and a large part of Exeters rise. If it were my choice I’d continue picking guys based in Ireland, but if the debate is to be had, lets be objective.
I saw somewhere that Steenson misses a big percentage of the tackles he attempts
@Rudiger McMonihan: He is 32, and apparently rejected chances to come back and play in Ulster over the years.
IRFU want to pick players based in Ireland so why would they consider someone who it seems turned their back (happily) on the system – right or wrong as that may be on IRFUs behalf.
Ignoring Madigan is the right call in my opinion. Players can’t be rewarded for leaving Ireland, and it doesn’t sound as if his form deserves a call up anyway. Keatley is a good option, and there’s Carty as well. Also, I think Hanrahan should be considered now that he’s committed to coming back to Munster.
Bit rich from Easterby to give out about a player who moved abroad, he did the same with Scarlets for most of his career but was still picked for Ireland. Madigan gets rough treatment his whole career and is the outstanding second out half we have
Outstanding?
Easterby never moved , he was always based in the U.K.
I think Madigan suffers from being quite a versatile player but not outstanding in any given position – relative to the best available for that position. He’s a talented player none the less.
It was always likely that Madigan would be ignored while in France , the current hullabaloo has more to do with the fact that Keatley has dropped to the bench for Munster . Were it not for Bleyendahl’s long list of injuries this would have happened up to two years ago. I’m a big fan of Carberys but had Paddy Jackson been ‘available ‘ to go to Chicago , Carbery would have been fortunate to make his debut against Canada at best .
Paddy Jackson can run the show fine against Scotland , physically he’s more resilient than Sexton right now and if Keatley makes the bench I’d be delighted for him especially if he gets a bit of form going .