Ian Madigan seeks new challenge as he confirms Bordeaux switch
Ireland utility back Madigan was heavily courted by Harlequins and Bristol, as well as being offered fresh terms by Leinster, but has opted to make the switch to France.
The 26-year-old will leave his home province in a bid to secure a frontline playmaking role after understudying Johnny Sexton and formerly Jimmy Gopperth.
“While this was a very difficult decision for me to make, leaving the club I have represented my whole professional life, I feel the timing is right and it is a challenge I’m looking forward to,” said Madigan.
“Bordeaux Begles are a team that are making strides in the Top 14 and in Europe and I look forward to being part of that journey and to experiencing a new style of rugby and a new life in France.
“I’d like to thank everyone in Leinster Rugby for their support over the years. I’ve played with some brilliant players and have worked with some exceptional coaches and while I am reluctant to single one out I want to mention Richie Murphy who has been by my side from my days in the sub-academy and has been a huge influence on me.
“There are a huge few weeks and months ahead with Leinster, and I look forward to playing my part and trying to finish the season out as strongly as possible for them.”
Madigan excelled in Ireland’s 24-9 victory over France that set up a Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, stepping in for Sexton at short notice.
The talented fly-half was unable to repeat that performance against the Pumas, however, as Ireland slipped to their sixth World Cup quarter-final defeat, still yet to reach the last-four at the global competition.
Madigan has long been blessed with all the raw attributes to thrive at the highest levels but has been unable to force his way into a regular starting shirt with either Leinster or Ireland.
This move to France will be designed to help him raise his game to new levels, while his departure represents the first high-profile Ireland star to move abroad since Sexton’s ill-fated stint at Racing 92 in Paris.
Leinster coach Leo Cullen admitted he hopes Madigan can return to his home province in the future.
“Ian has been a tremendous servant to Leinster and Irish rugby and we wish him well with his move abroad,” said Leinster head coach Cullen.
“We fully understand his motivations for deciding to join Bordeaux. Ian has come through the Leinster Academy and age grade system and at 26 still has a huge future in the game and we may see him return to Leinster at some point.”
There was better news for Cullen ahead of Friday’s crunch Pro12 clash with Connacht after the performance of 21-year-old Garry Ringrose against Munster on Sunday night.
Ringrose has been touted as the ideal replacement for Brian O’Driscoll in the Leinster and Ireland midfield but Cullen has no intention of heightening the growing excitement around his blossoming talent.
“He is a very good outside centre,” was as far as Cullen would go. “We have been trying to bring Garry through slowly all season. It’s a competitive area for us but we’ve got lots of options there which is pleasing for us,” Cullen added.
Asked to react to a Brian O’Driscoll suggestion Ringrose should start for Ireland against Wales in the Six Nations opener in February and would benefit from more game time with Leinster, Cullen replied: “I have no influence over who starts for Ireland in the Six Nations so I think the Irish coaches might have an issue with Brian rather than me.
“There are lots of games this season. We want our young players to be able to play for Leinster for 12, 15 years and we want guys to come through in the right manner.
Is he big enough for international rugby? “What is big enough? How big is big? Shane Williams played a lot of international rugby games and he’s not bigger than Garry Ringrose”.
Cullen played down the margin of Leinster’s win at Thomond Park but admitted winning by 17 points was “pleasing”.
“It is pleasing, but I don’t think 24-7 reflects the game,” he admitted.
“We did well to take our chances when they came along. We’ve been on the receiving end of those scores, 24-9 against Toulon which I felt didn’t reflect the game and 34-6 against Wasps which certainly didn’t do so either.
“That intercept try at the end certainly put a bit of gloss on things.”
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