With the Six Nations in the books, Joe Schmidt is already looking to the future.
A summer tour to South Africa will be upon us before we know it, before next season’s November series propels things forward to the 2017 Championship.
And while Schmidt can look forward to having key players back from injury as well as continuing to blood new talent like Josh van der Flier and Ultan Dillane, one player who might not be involved at all is Leinster out-half Ian Madigan.
Madigan’s versatility has made him a valuable understudy to Jonathan Sexton, but his desire for more game time at club level prompted him to sign a two-year contract with the Top 14 outfit Bordeaux.
However, his departure from these shores looks set to severely limit his international career, with Joe Schmidt describing the move as “unfortunate” following Saturday’s victory over Scotland.
In discussing his options behind Sexton, Schmidt indicated that Madigan’s move would create more chances for the other provincial 10s – Paddy Jackson, Ian Keatley and Jack Carty.
“Ian Madigan has grown, Paddy Jackson has made some decisions really tough for us during this Six Nations,” Schmidt is quoted in the Irish Independent.
“Ian’s versatility to be able to cover a number of positions made him a little bit more attractive as a bench proposition, but Paddy’s entire game is coming on and it’s great to have him in camp, learning from guys like Johnny.
“That’s a progress that can continue. I know it’s unfortunate that Ian is going away and he’s hopeful of playing a couple of seasons at Bordeaux where he’s at No 10 and at the same time it gives an opportunity to Paddy and Ian Keatley.
“Unfortunately Jack Carty got injured, because he was another kid who you wouldn’t have thrown in the mix a while ago.”
Madigan remains at Leinster until the end of the season, so it will be interesting to see what stance Schmidt takes in terms of selecting him for June’s series against the Boks.
