Could The IRFU Send Ian Madigan To Munster To Make Room For Robbie Henshaw

Robbie Henshaw future  has been the main talking point doing the rounds in Ireland in recent weeks but recent news Ian Madigan’s potential departure has people talking.

Henshaw has been coy on his future stating that he will weigh up all options on the table before making a decision. Many journalists have said a deal with Leinster is a done deal but have questioned the move based on the depth Leinster already have in that position.

News of a €500,000 a year offer from Bristol and interest from Harlequins for Ian Madigan however will make the IRFU sit up and take notice. The IRFU does not want another JJ Hanrahan situation. The IRFU has made it very clear in the past that they want their talent to remain in their shores. The Jonny Sexton experiment proved their point.

Madigan spoke yesterday about his future and his interest in a move to England but also didn’t rule out a move to another province.

I think you’d be naive to rule it out. The IRFU probably want to keep as many players in Ireland as possible. If you are within Ireland, you are giving yourself the best possible chance to be picked for the national team.

Ian Keatley has ben surplus to requirements for Ireland in recent years with Madigan the clear number two, closely followed by Paddy Jackson. What we could see is Madigan moving to Munster, Henshaw to Leinster and even potentially Ian Keatley returning to Connacht, where he could rediscover the form that earned him a move to Munster in the first place. This would see a major shake-up in the Irish provincial scene with potentially the countries four best outhalves all starting for the four provinces.

We’ll just have to wait and see…