JOHNNY SEXTON PROBABLY warned Ian Madigan to be wary of the expectations in the Top 14.
As the 27-year-old returns to Ireland for his first match on home soil since departing for France – Bordeaux face Ulster in Kingspan Stadium this afternoon [KO 1pm, Sky Sports 3] – he is getting his own sense of the pressure.
French clubs and their supporters are sometimes quick to judge foreign imports, although their eagerness to see a rapid return on investment is somewhat understandable.
Sexton felt the brunt of criticism from Racing Métro [now Racing 92] supporters as the club struggled to achieve success during his two-year stint in Paris, with co-head coach Laurent Labit even sticking the knife in after the out-half had left.
And now, seven months into his time with UBB, Madigan finds himself facing the first signs of pressure to perform, with some quarters of the French media beginning to question when the former Leinster man will begin to show his best form.
A piece in France Bleu on Thursday said that Madigan has “failed to convince” so far, while yesterday’s Midi Olympique picked him out as a player who has a point to prove against Ulster, suggesting the out-half must impose more control over this Bordeaux team. Even his own coach, Raphaël Ibañez has called for more.
“Every out-half plays with pressure and it’s the same for me,” said Madigan at UBB’s press conference this week, when asked if he is feeling the pressure.
“I’m learning how the team plays, so for me it’s about coming in every day to work with the coaches and try to be better every day.”
While Madigan may not have been at his best against Clermont last weekend in a 9-6 defeat at home, it should be pointed out that he is still on the way back towards full fitness after an adductor injury.
That issue saw Madigan miss the entirety of November, with 23-year-old Kiwi Simon Hickey instead slotting into Bordeaux’s 10 shirt, having returned to the club following his involvement in Auckland’s Mitre 10 Cup campaign.
Hickey’s arrival certainly adds to the competition for Madigan, after Lionel Beauxis had been his back-up early in the season, meaning it would be understandable for the Irishman to be pushing himself harder physically in his efforts to make a comeback.
But the 31-times capped Ireland international says he has had to reel that determination back at times in recent weeks.
“It’s a long season, so I have to have patience after an injury,” said Madigan. “The injury I had is bad for kicking, so I have to work hard with the physio. But I’m getting more confidence every day and the injury is getting better. It’s not 100%, but close.”
With all of this in mind, it would be timely for Madigan to serve Bordeaux and their supporters a reminder of his quality this afternoon in Belfast.
He made a flying start to life in France, particularly impressing with his accuracy off the tee, only for the injury to halt that momentum.
Madigan, as ever, will be focused on ensuring that he contributes to a positive collective performance, all the more so with Bordeaux currently on a five-game losing streak. They are realistically out of contention for a quarter-final spot in the Champions Cup [there is still an outside, outside chance], but need a strong performance before the Top 14 resumes.
Currently two points off the top six in the French league, Ibañez’s men have some ground to make up.
“It’s difficult for the team to lose the last five matches, so it’s important to take some confidence against Ulster before the return of the Top 14,” said Madigan. “The Clermont match [the following week] is super important for us to move into the top six.”
A visit home to Ireland will also allow Madigan to catch up with a few old friends, including his opposite number.
Madigan was so often in contention with Paddy Jackson for a place in Ireland’s matchday 23 in recent years, but they still managed to form a strong friendship.
“On a personal note, I’ve trained with Paddy and been in Ireland squads with Paddy for the last four or five years, so I’ve got to know him very well on the days off,” said Madigan.
“As kickers, you go kicking in the morning and then have the rest of the day off together, because usually the rest of the squad are off enjoying themselves. I’ve got to know him very well from that and he’s a good guy.”
Ulster:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Darren Cave
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Andrew Trimble (captain)
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Dave Shanahan
1. Andrew Warwick
2. Rory Best
3. Jonny Simpson
4. Robbie Diack
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Iain Henderson
7. Chris Henry
8. Sean Reidy
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Callum Black
18. Ricky Lutton
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Clive Ross
21. Paul Marshall
22. Brett Herron
23. Craig Gilroy
Bordeaux:
15. Geoffrey Cros
14. Nans Ducuing
13. Jean-Baptiste Dubié
12. Joe Wakacegu
11. Blair Connor
10. Ian Madigan
9. Yann Lesgourgues
1. Steven Kitshoff
2. Clement Maynadier (captain)
3. Marc Clerc
4. Tom Palmer
5. Berend Botha
6. Louis Madaule
7. Loann Goujon
8. Marco Tauleigne
Replacements:
16. Benat Auzqui
17. Sébastien Taofifenua
18. Vadim Cobilas
19. Joe Edwards
20. Hugh Chalmers
21. Julien Audy
22. Simon Hickey
23. Julien Rey
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU).
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
