Madigan will be much in demand, insists Dempsey
Rugby
Daire Walsh
Leinster backs coach Girvan Dempsey insists former star Ian Madigan will have plenty of suitors if he leaves France.
French paper Midi Olympique claimed Northampton Saints are prepared to offer Madigan a £500k-a-year deal to leave Bordeaux, and Dempsey is not surprised by such interest.
“He’s too talented a guy not to be snapped up by a club. I imagine he’ll be picked up pretty quickly. I think that versatility, and his ability to play anywhere across the back line, is a really strong asset.”
Since Madigan’s departure, Joey Carbery and Ross Byrne have stepped up the Leinster pecking order at out-half and the pair, alongside five other members of the province’s academy, have been awarded senior contracts for the 2017/18 season.
“Ross has been excellent. He’s slotted in seamlessly and dealt with the pressure in his stride. Big occasions, no matter what the game, he’s handled it really, really well. Joey is another quality player and has done really well. I think everyone forgets how young he is.”
Nick McCarthy, Rory O’Loughlin, Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Peadar Timmins also inked deals with the province.