Madigan easy over position

Editor

Ian Madigan is happy to play either fly-half or centre for Ireland if it means getting a chance at the World Cup.

The Leinster playmaker started at ten against Scotland on Saturday as Ireland won 28-22, and was excellent from the kicking tee.

He appears to be battling with Paddy Jackson to be Jonathan Sexton's back-up, but Madigan also offers cover at inside centre, where Ireland may need an alternative to Robbie Henshaw.

And while his versatility may make it more difficult for him to nail down a starting spot, Madigan is just keen to be involved in any position.

"I still had five starts at out-half and in the Six Nations window I would have had six, seven weeks training at out-half and similar in the autumn break, so when you add it up that could be close to 20 weeks at 10," he told the Irish Times.

"I feel I can manage playing 12 and still being able to do the role at out-half, and the way the game is gone you need your first centre stepping up into that first handling position and they have to be able to read and control the game from 12 as well.

"I’d love to get a run anywhere. There is such competition in the squad, you just put your hand up for wherever you can get a chance. It is definitely a position that I’d love to play in.

"The way I am, I just want to get out on that field, if I'm playing in the centre or at out-half or full-back or scrum-half or wherever it might be. I would just be happy to be out on the field.

"It is pretty intense. There’s competition across the board. You've got a minimum of two players in each position and three in some. Johnny, Paddy and myself are going really hard at it in training, competing really hard for every rep. 

"There is definitely a feeling that every rep counts. I'm sure Johnny will get his chance in the next two games. He’s been going really well in pre-season. He is enjoying having the longest pre-season he has had in years."