Madigan and Keatley’s versatility rewarded

The race may be on to challenge Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O’Gara for the Ireland No 10 shirt, but versatility is the name of the game for two of the three contenders included yesterday in the Irish Wolfhounds squad for the clash with the English Saxons in Galway on Friday.

Provincial form has been rewarded with the inclusion of Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan and Ian Keatley, making for an interesting twist to the final selection process.

Madigan and Keatley are well versed with the requirements for different positions — full-back, centre and wing — and Ireland’s assistant coach, Les Kiss, suggested either one or both could be utilised somewhere other than the pivotal No 10 position.