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Madigan will return to find Ireland's out-half depth chart all the deeper

The Dubliner will face an utterly changed landscape to the one he left four years ago.

EVERY NOW AND again over the course of the last four years, the name Ian Madigan would be put to Joe Schmidt as a potential solution when this knock or that had brought Jonathan Sexton low and out-half ranks were running a tad thin.

ian-madigan Madigan lines up a kick against La Rochelle in last season's Challenge Cup quarter-final. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Clearly, the idea was given short shrift by the erstwhile Ireland coach. Sexton was to be the only exception to the non-rule of selecting only Irish-based players.

The chief playmaker is now also the captain, remains top of the out-half tree and Andy Farrell’s influence remains on the Ireland coaching setup, but otherwise the landscape has drastically changed since Madigan was last on the books of an Irish province.

The Dubliner will make a welcome return under the IRFU wing next season when he departs Bristol for Ulster, but he can by no means expect to pick up where he left off on his 30th cap for Ireland. Provincially, competition will be intense too.

ian-madigan-with-johnny-sexton Madigan and Sexton in early 2016. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Madigan’s last outing in green came at the end of the long World Cup season that began with such palpable emotion as his tears marked an immense win over France to help Ireland top the pool before the tournament, as it seems all World Cups do, quickly turned sour.

The then-Leinster man remained second-choice to Sexton through the 2016 Six Nations, but come that summer’s tour to South Africa -Farrell’s first tour in a green tracksuit – he remained a replacement with Sexton out through injury. And after being an unused replacement in the landmark 14-man win over the Springboks, he would make cameos off the bench in the two defeats that followed.

Returning to third place in the pecking order to be 10 in Farrell’s team will surely take some time for Madigan to work towards. He will turn 31 next week and will arrive back on these shores to find the two men who deputised him at Leinster hot on Sexton’s heels.

Ross Byrne is quickly coming of age as an expert all-rounder, Joey Carbery will hope to be back to full fitness after a string of torrid luck and Jack Carty’s post-World Cup resurgence has been halted only by the Covid-19 cancellations.

ross-byrne-and-joey-carbery Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

Billy Burns has earned his share of public plaudits from Farrell too, and he will provide the main obstacle for Madigan as his excellent array of tactical kicking has boosted Ulster’s attacking rhythm this season.

Madigan’s time away from Ireland certainly did not go as he would have planned. After a stint with a stodgy Bordeaux side, he helped Pat Lam’s Bristol seal promotion to the Premiership. But, curiously, he has made just three appearances for the Bears in the top flight this season.

Along with Burns, Ulster have talented young 10s in the shape of Bill Johnston, Michael Lowry and Angus Curtis who are capable of making the step up, but competition from an experienced performer will do them no harm.

Madigan has proven himself capable of being one of the most cool and consistent goal-kickers around and his ability as a running out-half made him a natural fit to operate as a second playmaker at 12 and 15.  Dan McFarland’s quote as Ulster announced the signing may be instructive here:

I’m confident he will be a valuable addition to our squad both on and off the pitch, where he will bring a bank of experience to a group of talented young out-halves.”

The head coach will hope that experience will help drive standards through next year.

Postponed Six Nations fixtures mean that the 2020/21 season will likely have extended international windows when coaches must make do without a large cohort of players at their disposal.

McFarland will be keen on seeing Madigan and fellow new recruit Alby Mathewson dole out worldly wisdom through the squad and ensure the northern province continue building a consistency that was so sorely lacking in years past.

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    Mute Shougeki
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    Mar 14th 2020, 9:47 PM

    Ah now. Im a Munster fan, but that rule was brought in after sexton left i believe. It was a guideline previous to that.

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    Mute Paddy
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    Mar 15th 2020, 2:00 PM

    @Shougeki: Interested to know, where is this rule written?

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 16th 2020, 1:38 PM

    @Paddy: Paddy you ask all the right questions and really beggars belief that this is the top comment, pinpointing to the season when the rule came into force, perfectly aligned to explain Sexton selection and Zebo omission.

    To answer your question, there is no rule. You will not find it written anywhere in any IRFU publication, but as a matter of best practice it’s been in force for a decade at the very least, as an unwritten rule, but it’s rarely tested (thankfully) as very few first rate Irish international’s have had stints abroad.

    Around the same time the IRFU also started signing the best Irish players abroad and bringing them home, a practice they continue to this day.

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    Mute Mick O'Donoghue
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:08 PM

    Sexton heading past it, Carbery up there with Darren Anderton with the sick notes, he will probably get a chance.

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    Mute colm buckley
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    Mar 14th 2020, 11:24 PM

    @Mick O’Donoghue: “Sexton heading past it”
    Ahhh… he past it about 18months ago

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    Mute Aaron
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    Mar 15th 2020, 9:15 PM

    @Mick O’Donoghue: A country that fancies themselves to be in the top 4 countries in the world can hardly look to a player who was 2nd choice at the likes Bordeaux and 3rd choice at the likes of Bristol…I don’t know what the answer is but certainly don’t think its him.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Mar 18th 2020, 5:04 PM

    @Aaron: he was second in line to sexton at Leinster and has 30 international caps. I’d be happy to see him return to the provinces and become an option for us again.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:20 PM

    A player who can’t even get a start for Bristol, isnt going to walk into the Ulster team. Burns will keep him on the bench, most likely. But it will be nice to have a different style outhalf on the bench.

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    Mute Kevin
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:24 PM

    @Kingshu: I’d agree but decent addition yo squad which increases depth. Other options at 10 very inexperienced. Having Mads on initial 12 month deal is decent business.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:34 PM

    @Kevin: I’d have rather got Callum Sheedy who has played under age games for Ireland, and is keeping Madigan on the bench at Bristol, but it appears he’s declared for England.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:46 PM

    @Kingshu: cooney couldn’t get a start at conaught and he’s now ulsters best player.

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    Mute Trev
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    Mar 14th 2020, 11:20 PM

    @Chris Mc: that’s a very good point. Hopefully he will find his niche there too.

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    Mute Christiaan Theron
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    Mar 15th 2020, 12:11 AM

    @Chris Mc: Madigan along with Mathewson are the type of signings that will push Ulster on. Madigan maybe a bench warmer but suspect it will be for 10,12 and possibly 15 until he finds which ever niche.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Mar 15th 2020, 10:59 AM

    @Christiaan Theron: madigan can be a very good player. And always played well for leinster. This bull that he couldn’t get a game because of Jimmy G is not true, he didn’t play 10 but he almost always played and was the goal kicker.
    He moved from leinster because no matter how well he played Johnny always kept the 10 shirt.
    The same people on here have slaughter madigan for moving and some take pleasure in his failure not to progress but champion joey carbury for doing the same.

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    Mute Glenbower
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    Mar 15th 2020, 12:09 AM

    The Bristol forum posters appreciate his contribution (7-0 so far). The 7th post echoed the others, saying “Wish this great bloke all the best, even Sheedy acknowledges the huge debt he owes to Ian’s mentoring. Rugby is a professional sport and no room for sentiment, but Madigan is class on and off the field and perhaps deserved better than the less than stellar treatment he’s received in recent times.”

    I have no idea about the last bit but the reference to mentoring backs up McFarland’s comments about the impact he could have on the other outhalves.

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    Mute Anton Phelan
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:08 PM

    Should never have left Leinster

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    Mute Pretty Ladee
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    Mar 15th 2020, 7:29 AM

    @Anton Phelan: really? Hé would be 12th choice there now

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    Mute flaming mo
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    Mar 14th 2020, 11:15 PM

    Always thought he was a great player

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    Mute hypebeast
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    Mar 14th 2020, 11:03 PM

    Those 2 seasons where madigan played 12 when gopperth was at 10 for leinster I thought he looked very promising would be great to see him get a run out or 2 at 12

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    Mute tse
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:19 PM

    Good for him to get a club after his appeal a few months back, but he was third choice at Bristol. A long way to get into the Ulster team not to mention an Irish set up.

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    Mute kieran horgan
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    Mar 15th 2020, 8:09 AM

    It’s billy Johnston I fell sorry for. He moved to Ulster for game time last year and really was getting into the groove lately. This must be a serious knock back for him.

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    Mute Christiaan Theron
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    Mar 15th 2020, 12:26 PM

    @kieran horgan: Really? If Madigan plays 12 or 15 it will be a considerable advantage to be mentored by him.

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    Mute Ger
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    Mar 15th 2020, 12:14 AM

    I’ve not seen a lot of Madigan since he left Leinster if I’m honest but I always rated him as a footballer, if not an out half. Now that he has a few years under his belt in that position maybe that will change. Either way it will be good to have him back. He’s a great option at 23 as he covers 10, 12, 13, 15 and 9 at a push. I always liked him at 12. Good business for ulster too

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    Mute Kevin50
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    Mar 14th 2020, 11:43 PM

    In his day Madigan was never international class 10, poor game manager, decision maker and link player. He started as 10 in the USA match in Houston in 2013 and Ireland were awful until Jackson came on. The dynamic of the game changed immediately and Ireland back line started to play and opened up the USA and won easily. He would not be good enough for Leinster or Munster and won’t make it at Ulster either. Really a journeyman pro who cannot make it in Bristol Bears. Step backwards for Ulster.

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    Mute Stephen Foster
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    Mar 15th 2020, 3:34 AM

    @Kevin50: look we are all entitled to an opinion but that’s nonsense. Madigan always showed great game understanding and was a great place-kicker. Ok if Carbery was fit he wouldn’t get a start but he is made of glass. He has great heart and if he wants to come back why not give him a chance.

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    Mute Ciaran McMahon
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    Mar 15th 2020, 7:48 AM

    @Stephen Foster: it’s not nonsense. He struggles to perform consistently and absolutely lacked game understanding. It is one of his biggest failings to make the right decisions and bring those around him into the game. He was a great individual but struggled to create anything with his back line.

    He was the darling of some Leinster fans but the team were worse off overall when he started. He was a massive blind spot for Schmidt at test level. World class goal kicker but mediocre outhalf. The fact that Bordeaux got rid after several months and he has largely been 3rd choice at Bristol behind Sheedy and an academy player this season says a lot. Bristol aren’t making that call for the craic.

    At 31, Ulster would be far better off partnering Johnston and Mathewson.

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    Mute Tom Murphy
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    Jul 10th 2020, 8:30 PM

    @Kevin50: He never got sufficient game time at 10 to deveiope fullyhis game management

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    Mute Sean Dalton
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    Mar 14th 2020, 11:41 PM

    If he just accepted the fact hes an inside center or fullback he’d have had a great career

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    Mute Graham O'Hara
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    Mar 15th 2020, 10:28 AM

    @Sean Dalton: just like Carbery

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    Mute Davedental
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    Mar 15th 2020, 8:15 AM

    It’s a fantastic signing for ulster as he is a great player. I’m not sure what’s happened to him this season at Bristol and why he isn’t first choice. Hopefully this move will reinvigorate his career. He’s got another 4 years or more possibly left so I’d love to see him back playing 10 in the Irish set up as on his day he would definitely be up there with carbery and above Byrne IMO

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    Mute Stephen Martin
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:37 PM

    Always warms the heart to remember how important it was to Matt O’Connor to make sure Jimmy Gopperth was properly blooded

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:45 PM

    @Stephen Martin: Gopperth was the better player and wasn’t appreciated by Leinster fans. He went on to prove how good he was with Wasps.

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    Mute Cortiss
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:48 PM

    @Kingshu: very good for Leinster, not sure what he’s proved at wasps?

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    Mute David Lawlor
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    Mar 14th 2020, 10:55 PM

    @Kingshu: Jimmy Gopps was very much appreciated by Leinster fans, what we couldn’t understand at the time was why a Kiwi journeyman was getting all this game time ahead of a promising young Irish player. I can’t help but wonder how a 23 year old Madigan would do with the current coaching team.

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    Mute hypebeast
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    Mar 14th 2020, 11:02 PM

    @Stephen Martin: madigan was a rock solid 12

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    Mute Davedental
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    Mar 15th 2020, 8:10 AM

    @Kingshu: hopper the was a good player but Madigan was better at that point. He was very badly treated just as he could have kicked in and made the number 10 spot his own….

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    Mute David Finn
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    Mar 15th 2020, 9:08 AM

    Expected him to pitch up at Connacht as back-up to Carty to be honest. Can’t see him getting much starting time at Ulster unless McFarland really doesnt rate Burns and Johnston? A good man for the number 23 shirt though.

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Mar 15th 2020, 3:02 AM

    It’s nearly 3 am and I am just home and read this news release.
    Sobered me up quick that’s for sure

    Short time he might drive standards up but I never see him being first choice

    He is a show phoney and I can’t see him being the quality that Ulster aspire to have on the books.
    Two year contract, drive competition and he will never be seen again.

    Better move for him than ulster

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    Mute Hirrison Mirk
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    Mar 15th 2020, 9:10 AM

    @Mark Smith: you breaking quarantine?

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