IAN MADIGAN’S CLUB commitments kept him out of Ireland’s plans for the Six Nations opener, even with Jonathan Sexton ultimately ruled out with a calf injury.
The Dubliner was regularly Joe Schmidt’s preferred choice to deputise for Sexton, but his move to Bordeaux has impacted his availability for call-ups to the Irish training camps.
With Sexton set to miss the Murrayfield meeting with Scotland, Ian Keatley (who was never officially named in the 40-man squad) and versatile centre Rory Scannell are the only viable back-up options to Paddy Jackson.
Asked whether it was a concern that neither Keatley or Scannell are starting out-halves for their province, forwards coach Simon Easterby responded:
Click Here: Marco Reus Jersey Sale
“What’s the alternative?”
To the ensuing suggestion that Ian Madigan might have been considered, Easterby’s response was sharp again.
Madigan is not. The former Leinster back started behind Simon Hickey for the home clash with Clermont on Sunday, kicking a late penalty as a replacement before Clermont responded to claim a 23 – 23 draw.
“Unfortunately he couldn’t be with us last weekend anyway because he was on the bench for Bordeaux against Clermont. So it compromises his position with us when he’s not playing in Ireland,” continued Easterby.
“We’re trying to support the guys who are staying here and, on the whole, that will be the case. Circumstances may allow us to look outside of that, but as it happens at the moment we’ve got three guys in.
“Mads hasn’t been selected in the squad. He couldn’t be involved last week so that didn’t help his cause.”
Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO
As Paddy Jackson impressively held the reins for a full tour of South Africa and then in the November win over Australia, the prospect starting a Test match without Sexton certainly doesn’t hold the same grounds for concern as it once did.