MADIGAN WORTH IT, INSISTS DEMPSEY

GIRVAN DEMPSEY believes that Ian Madigan’s quality is such that he is worth another big-money move, writes CIAN TRACEY.

Madigan has made it clear that he wants to cut short his stay in Bordeaux. Northampton are the front-runners to sign him, according to French reports, with the English club understood to be willing to pay him £500,000 a year. Bristol are also interested.

Johnny Sexton’s contract is worth in the region of €550,000, and should the Saints come up with that sort of cash for Madigan, it would put the 27-yearold among world’s highest earners.

JJ Hanrahan’s Northampton move didn’t work out and he’ll rejoin Munster next season, but Dempsey insists that Madigan is good enough to reignite his career. “It’s a challenge (in France) – different culture, different environment, language barrier,” Dempsey said. “Ian was really exciting when he was with us, he’s an asset to any team.

“He saw an opportunity and it’s something that he wanted to do and he took it. He’s too talented a guy not to be snapped up by a club. I imagine he’ll be picked up pretty quickly.

“Ian is a quality player and his ability to play anywhere across the backline is a really strong asset. So potentially he would be (worth it), yeah.”

Leinster were yesterday boosted by the announcement that seven of their Academy players – including Joey Carbery, Rory O’Loughlin and Ross Byrne have signed senior contracts.

Another positive bulletin came on the injury front as it emerged Josh van der Flier’s shoulder problem is not as bad as first feared, while Dave Kearney’s toe injury is a “minor issue” and he could be back “very quickly”.

Munster have been boosted by the return of Mark Chisholm to full training as the Australian secondrow has recovered from a serious concussion that has kept him out since March of last year. Chisholm isn’t expect to return to competitive action for some time yet, however.

Rory Scannell (knee), Robin Copeland (thumb) and Sam Arnold (knee) also return to training as Munster prepare to travel to Cardiff on Saturday.