PRO12 RUGBY: NEWPORT DRAGONS v LEINSTER, SUNDAY, 4.15PM
MAD MAX
Ian’s making the most of kicking opportunities for the Blues this season
BY DAIRE WALSH
With a tally of 225 points in 18 games for Leinster, this campaign has certainly been a productive one for Ian Madigan.
Jonathan Sexton’s return to the Blues squad may well restrict Madigan’s kicking duties next season.
But after six successful penalties against Bath last Saturday helped the Blues to book their place in the final-four of the Champions Cup, the 26-year-old proved he can be the man for the big occasion.
He was perhaps aided by the fact that Matt O’Connor’s charges were already in the ascendancy when he negotiated the majority of his kicks, but speaking yesterday, Madigan revealed that he maintains the same kicking process regardless of the circumstances.
“I think when you’re playing in a knock-out game, you know every point counts. So you just stick to the process whether you’re behind in a game or you’re taking a kick at the start of the match or the end of a match,” Madigan said.
“It’s still the same pressure on you and for me it’s about going through the same process regardless of whether you’re kicking a kick at the end of a game in a league match or if you’re 14 points up.”
In terms of preparing for a game, Madigan likes to have Kiwi Jimmy Gopperth and rising Leinster ‘A’ star Cathal Marsh alongside him on the training ground.
“The main people I kick with would be Jimmy, obviously, who is a very good place-kicker.
“Fergus (McFadden) is a brilliant place-kicker. He wouldn’t come out every week, but he’d be out most weeks practicing.
“With the younger guys coming through, Cathal Marsh is the only lad I work with on place-kicking.
“He’s really ready to make the step-up. He’s a guy who’s been playing really well for Leinster ‘A’ and when he gets his chance to step up to the senior team, I think he’ll be ready to go.”
While Ireland coach Joe Schmidt primarily sees Madigan as an out-half option, O’Connor’s preference for Gopperth in that position has led to the Dubliner’s re-deployment in Leinster’s midfield.
He has been joined in the centre by rugby league-convert Ben Te’o for recent encounters, and Madigan is enjoying his current combination with the southern hemisphere duo.
“I’m very comfortable with Jimmy, having played alongside him over the last two seasons. He’s a real thinker of the game, who puts a lot of work in in the video room.
“It’s very much been a joint-effort between Jimmy, myself and a few of the other outside backs in advising Te’o on how we can get the most out of him.
“He’s an incredible athlete, he’s got great strength, he’s very fast, a good passer and a clever, clever guy who on top of all of that is very brave.
“So, you’re working with a guy who is really well equipped and for us it’s about getting the most out of him.”