IAN MADIGAN LOOKS to be on his way out of Ireland next season as Top 14 side Bordeaux push hard to finalise the capture of the Leinster back.
The42 understands that Madigan is close to signing a two-year deal with Bordeaux.
The 26-year-old has been with Leinster for the entirety of his professional career so far, but the return of Johnny Sexton from Racing 92 means his opportunities at out-half would continue to be limited if he chooses to remain at the province beyond the end of his current contract.
Madigan has already visited Bordeaux to take a tour of the club’s training facilities and stadium.
The IRFU is keen to ensure 25-times capped Madigan remains in Ireland next season, with their feeling that a relocation to Munster would be the most ideal scenario for all parties.
The contract offer from Bordeaux is understood to be more financially rewarding for Madigan than what the IRFU can provide, while his competition for the out-half position at the Top 14 club would be Pierre Bernard, France-capped Lionel Beauxis and Romain Lonca.
It’s believed that Bordeaux also appreciate Madigan’s ability to cover inside centre.
UBB (Union Bordeaux Bègles) are coached by former France hooker Raphaël Ibañez, with ex-England back row Joe Worsley, New Zealand-capped Bruce Reihana, and former France and Toulouse back Emile Ntamack all part of his well-regarded backroom team.
Bordeaux were in the second-tier Pro D2 as recently as the 2010/11 season, but earned promotion through the play-offs at the end of that campaign. They earned qualification for the Champions Cup for the first time last season, while they currently sit sixth in the Top 14.
President Laurent Marti has ambitions for the club to compete for trophy success in the coming seasons. Bordeaux’s 33,290-capacity Stade Chaban Delmas regularly attracts crowds in excess of 20,000 and the average attendance has grown over recent years.
The signings of Wallabies pair Adam Ashley-Cooper and Sekope Kepu this season have been a signal of Bordeaux’s growing power in the transfer market, while they have been heavily linked with Australian back row David Pocock.
UBB have employed an expansive and energetic attacking game plan under Ibañez, and that style of play is likely to appeal greatly to Madigan. His attacking flair has sometimes been viewed as a risk in Ireland, but would be embraced and encouraged at Bordeaux.
If Madigan is to sign the two-year contract on offer in France, it would allow him the possibility of returning to Ireland at the age of 28, most likely with a considerable amount of senior game time under his belt.
Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins and English Championship outfit Bristol have also expressed a strong interest in acquiring Madigan’s services, while the IRFU will fight within their means to keep Madigan on home soil.
Bordeaux’s offer has understandably swayed Madigan’s thinking and the French club are confident of concluding a deal.
