I'd happily take him on the basis that it doesnt impinge on our ability to sign other top class players in areas that we need to improve on.

Completely agree my friend.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Darragh wrote: I think it's quite funny how unconvinced many of us are on him!!!!

He would certainly add real value to the organisation and team. How many other 30 cap players do we have?

We must be delusional to think otherwise as Boshoff is an unknown quantity really and Carty and the other options really are not at Madigan's level.

Can he be inconsistent? Of course. But my god, we have suffered from terrible inconsistency over the past few seasons with the exception of the pro12 run in under McGinty. (Still pisses me off he is not Irish qualified).

I'd argue that Sexton through his injuries is inconsistent because he is available so little. Paddy Jackson is also vulnerable to the odd brain fart, as is Keatley, etc.

I think he is a player who needs a regular run of games and a supporting coach. Something he hasn't had for a few seasons. I am not saying he is guaranteed that here but I think all the components are there to make a smashing european level 10. Regarding Ireland, who knows.

His goal kicking is also top notch. He is usually very durable too and not often injured. And he can play 12.

I think most of us would also prefer to see Irish born and qualified players excel over imports too.

It comes down for me the cost and his appetite to come here and really leave a legacy here, which he could very well do.

Everything you say is true, but I think you're missing the point. The issues are financial and logistical.

I think it's quite funny how unconvinced many of us are on him!!!!

He would certainly add real value to the organisation and team. How many other 30 cap players do we have?

We must be delusional to think otherwise as Boshoff is an unknown quantity really and Carty and the other options really are not at Madigan's level.

Can he be inconsistent? Of course. But my god, we have suffered from terrible inconsistency over the past few seasons with the exception of the pro12 run in under McGinty. (Still pisses me off he is not Irish qualified).

I'd argue that Sexton through his injuries is inconsistent because he is available so little. Paddy Jackson is also vulnerable to the odd brain fart, as is Keatley, etc.

I think he is a player who needs a regular run of games and a supporting coach. Something he hasn't had for a few seasons. I am not saying he is guaranteed that here but I think all the components are there to make a smashing european level 10. Regarding Ireland, who knows.

His goal kicking is also top notch. He is usually very durable too and not often injured. And he can play 12.

I think most of us would also prefer to see Irish born and qualified players excel over imports too.

It comes down for me the cost and his appetite to come here and really leave a legacy here, which he could very well do.

columoc wrote: I have always liked the guy, he works hard, has passion, probably Bordeaux was not his best move, but guess he thought it was good at the time. His footballing ability (apparently he was a very good gaelic footballer) probably stopped him becoming a serious 10 as he was used as a 12, a 15 and once for Leinster, I remember him at 9 - the Irish Paul Madeley (who?).
He won't control games they way Joe wants, but as a runner or defender, I'd have him any day...and he is a solid kicker, with a long range. I think Connacht could develop him as a really good 12.
IRFU owe us one over Henshaw, so I live in hope....but realistically, I'd say Northampton or the like. My other wish is Noel Reid, Ireland's best underused player. He has no career of meaning at Leinster...come West Noel, come West!

Reid is a 12 who'd come straight in for McSharry indeed...
Would hinder Brennan/Robb development though

Personally I'd like him to sign for Munster.

media.giphy.com/media/K2hWvw8FEava8/giphy.gif

The walk-off vs. Zebo would be something to see.

I have always liked the guy, he works hard, has passion, probably Bordeaux was not his best move, but guess he thought it was good at the time. His footballing ability (apparently he was a very good gaelic footballer) probably stopped him becoming a serious 10 as he was used as a 12, a 15 and once for Leinster, I remember him at 9 - the Irish Paul Madeley (who?).
He won't control games they way Joe wants, but as a runner or defender, I'd have him any day...and he is a solid kicker, with a long range. I think Connacht could develop him as a really good 12.
IRFU owe us one over Henshaw, so I live in hope....but realistically, I'd say Northampton or the like. My other wish is Noel Reid, Ireland's best underused player. He has no career of meaning at Leinster...come West Noel, come West!

If IRFU want to have a better 3rd choice than Keatley (at present, I know Carberry is there too) for Ireland fine. But they'd want to be footing the bulk of this bill. He's out of his mind if he rates himself close to 400k though.

Well he's burned his bridge with Bordeaux before he's even crossed it.

www.the42.ie/ian-madigan-ireland-provinc...aux-3253563-Feb2017/

It might suit the IRFU's purposes better to let him lie in the bed he's made. Pour encourager les autres. He could well be as low as 4th in the Irish pecking order at this stage.

Yeah, he can help in a few areas, but the sums need to make sense, We cannot be blowing our budget on him.

Where can he help?
Primarily at 10, he can kick goals and is a decent #10. But also at #12, we have no backup/alternative to Ronaldson,

Personally cannot see him coming here, he made something like 500,000 in Bordeaux, we could probably get 100,000 scraped together for him and would the irfu really give much extra to that? When he could go to England and get 3-400 thousand to sit on the bench for most matchs.. Personally like him as a player but would be afraid if he signed it would be treated as if we'd signed one of the best 10s in the game whereas at the minute he's fighting for 3rd best in Ireland with Joey Carberry who's only played a handful of games at pro level.. Would much rather we got a young 10 who played 20s in last few years, like Ross Byrne. But look if we get madigan and don't have to pay outrageous wages that's perfectly fine with me! I'd have more confidence in him than our current local out half

If we can sign him without having to get rid of Boshoff and without guaranteeing him he'll be first choice, and while also having enough money left for a loosehead, second row, and no. 8, then I'm all for it.

I think it would be great match for both parties. Any thoughts?

rugbylad.com/ian-madigan-reveals-his-pre...ination-next-season/