Ian Madigan cautions departing stars to 'pick the right club'

Ian Madigan during an Ulster Rugby squad training session at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Robyn McMurray for Ulster Rugby via Sportsfile

There are over a dozen Irish rugby players knocking about Premiership as it resumes tonight with the meeting of Harlequins and Sale. More again are dotted around France and the USA, with the odd one posted in Japan or New Zealand.

Leaving the familiar embrace of home, and the IRFU's rigidly-run professional programme, offers both risk and reward and Ian Madigan had tastes of both after leaving Leinster in 2016 for Bordeaux-Begles and then a longer stint with Bristol Bears.