Madigan stands up for under-fire Gopperth and O’Connor

European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 2

Matt O’Connor and Jimmy Gopperth have both been instrumental in denying Ian Madigan the time at out-half that many feel he merits with Leinster this season but the Ireland international yesterday defended both his coach and colleague.

O’Connor has preferred Gopperth at 10 this past season-and-a-half, during which time the team has, with some exceptions, failed to gel in the way it did under Joe Schmidt despite their retention of the Pro12 title last term.