The IRFU Plan On Shaking Up The Provinces Starting With Madigan To Munster

When David Nucifora was appointed the IRFU’s performance director he promised increased movement between Irish provinces.

Ian Madigan’s contract is up at the end of the season and Nucifora and as predicted by us, the IRFU want Madigan to move to Munster to give Ireland three starting options at outhalf with Jonny Sexton and Paddy Jackson already first choice at Leinster and Ulster respectively.

Madigan is set to be offered a centralised contract by the IRFU in a bid to knock interest from Bristol, Harlequins, Bordeaux-Begles and Montpellier. What this means for Ian Keatley’s Munster future is unclear- potentially a move back to Connacht could be on the cards.

The Irish Times have reported that tying Madigan down to a new contract with Munster should see several other provincial players moved internally – with Robbie Henshaw expected to replace Madigan in the Leinster backline, and Leinster set to lose several Irish squad members to other provinces.

Martin Moore or Mike Ross may move to Connacht, with Rodney Ah You expected to move north to Ulster. Dominic Ryan or Dan Leavy may also switch provinces with Leinster having massive depth in their backrow in the form of Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy and Sean O’Brien.

Source: Irish Times