After a lot of speculation over the future of Ian Madigan, Brian O'Driscoll revealed to Off the Ball on Friday night that his next move may well take him to France.
With reports that Madigan was in advanced talks with Bordeaux and had already visited their stadium and facilities, O'Driscoll also stated that "a move where he gets first team rugby is a good move, and being realistic about it, it's going to be outside the country. Even then, in Munster is he 100% guaranteed? Maybe not, Plus as well, money is going to become a really big factor in all this".
"I hope Ian Madigan, if he does go down there [to Bordeaux] starts at 10 or wherever he wants to play and I hope he earns very, very well because he deserves it. He's done more than an apprenticeship at Leinster, he's worked hard at trying to get into that team and hasn't done so on a continual basis, and now he needs to go and look after Ian Madigan".
While there had been rumours of the IRFU lining up a move to take him to Munster, O'Driscoll said "I can't see it happening. There are certain people that you could see could transforming from Munster to Leinster or Leinster to Munster, and I don't see Ian Madigan being one of those, I just feel as though the fit isn't right", adding that "he's a loose, heads up sort of player, they probably go for a bit more of a structured game".
With David Nucifora at the IRFU keen not to lose one of the most versatile players in the country, O'Driscoll stated that he doesn't think it will ever reach a point where the organisation can tell players where to go in order to keep them in the fold for the national side.
"Money will always talk in this ever growing game that we're playing. Money is now becoming a considerable factor in it. I think players are starting to wise up to the fact that they won't have 14 or 15 years, they might have just seven or eight at the top, so they've got to maximise those years".
O'Driscoll noted that Madigan probably realises that his chances of playing with Ireland are reduced by moving, but added that "if you're still playing away and your team is going well and you're performing well, the coach would be mad to ignore you".
He also ruled out the chances of Madigan staying where he is, saying "I don't see it happening either, but, he's going to leave quite the void then. They're probably going to have to bring someone else in".
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