Madigan ‘a must’ for Lions tour

Fergus McFadden believes Ian Madigan’s form will make it very difficult for Warren Gatland to omit the Leinster out-half from his Lions touring squad when the selection is confirmed after the Heineken and Amlin semi-finals later this month.

The 24-year-old has been in sensational form for his province this season and especially so since Jonathan Sexton limped out of the England Six Nations game back in February and opened up a regular berth in the province’s number 10 shirt.

“It’s a funny time of year because, in fairness to Ian, he has been consistently good for Leinster this year and he has got his first few Irish caps,” said McFadden.

“But, at this time of the year, with one or two big performances in the Amlin or the Heineken, or PRO12 knockout stages, that could get you on a Lions tour. So, whether it is Ian or someone else, there are going to be wildcards brought to Australia. There is on every Lions tour. From Ian’s perspective, he has got to keep his starting place because Jonny [Sexton] is coming back now. I imagine if he keeps his fitness he will be in the mix to go to Australia as well.”

Leinster are finally shedding the injury baggage that encumbered them for so long this season, with Sexton and Shane Jennings both expected to check out of casualty this week and Brian O’Driscoll free to feature after a three-week suspension. The return of Sexton places them in something of an enviable pickle given the St Mary’s man is packing his bags for Paris in a few months and Madigan will be the one entrusted with filling his considerable shoes.

So, what now? “This season is this season and there is probably the odd position where you want to start looking at that,” said scrum coach Greg Feek of longer-term thoughts. “We want to be winning games as well and, in saying that, Mads is playing really well.

“Jonny’s not going to expect just to walk in and get the number 10 jersey. He’ll probably feel Mads is doing okay there. So it’s good, that’s what you want in the provinces, to have those sorts of battles. As coaches, you’re trying to create that all the time. The good thing is Jonny hasn’t played for a few weeks and if he’s available he could start and get into it. He might be better for that.”

Madigan may have put his hand up in the succession stakes at out-half but Leinster will have to wait until July before discovering whether they need to fill a giant Brian O’Driscoll-sized hole in their midfield as well. The 34-year-old revealed he would “take a look at things in July” when what should be a fourth Lions tour is behind him and Feek acknowledged the depth of the void he would leave if he does call time on his career.

“He has played a lot of Tests, he’s played a lot of rugby, and it would be a shame for us not to be able to have him still there at Leinster – firstly for what he offers because he’s great with the young guys as well.

“The likes of Brendan Macken are just sponges and so it should be around someone like that. If he was around for another season it would be huge for us.”