Ian Madigan set for lucrative Bristol move

Ireland fly-half Ian Madigan is set to sign for Bristol in a big-money switch from Bordeaux-Bègles that looks set to continue the playmaker’s exile from Test rugby.

The Irish Examiner understands the former Leinster star, 28 later this month, will move from the French Top 14 to England having asked Bordeaux-Bègles for an early release from his two-year contract after just one season.

Madigan, named on the bench at Stade Francais yesterday, had expressed an interest in returning home in a bid to resume his international career under Joe Schmidt, saying a fortnight ago: “Playing for Ireland is still the ultimate for me.