Double RBS 6 Nations winner Ian Madigan seems to have taken to French rugby like a duck to water, but the Irishman insists there is still plenty to work on as he looks to develop his game.
The former Leinster man lifted the RBS 6 Nations title in both 2014 and 2015, but elected to leave his province to join Bordeaux-Bègles over the summer.
And the 27-year-old revelled in a promising debut. Kicking five penalties, Madigan helped his side pull off an impressive 15-9 victory over Top 14 holders Racing 92 in the season opener, with the only blemish on his record a missed long-distance effort from inside his own half.
But despite the fans taking an immediate shining to the versatile Irishman, Madigan himself feels there is room for improvement as he makes the transition to rugby overseas.
“It’s going to take a little time adjusting to the game here in France and also to the players around you,” he said to the Irish Independent.
“It’s one thing seeing them in training but it’s a different thing seeing them going full contact in a competitive game, so I’ll learn a lot from this game.
“That’s the challenge for me – a new competition, playing in new stadiums against different players. I’m looking forward to it.”
Capable of playing fly-half, full-back and centre, Madigan has already amassed 30 caps for his country, despite only making his debut in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations draw with France.
And with a busy season ahead of him, the man who amassed more than 800 points for Leinster feels his Bordeaux stint is off to a promising start, as he looks to become a mainstay in Ireland’s plans over the next 12 months.
“It wasn’t a perfect performance – it was never going to be in our first game – but we will look to build on that,” he added.
“It was great to get the win because that takes the pressure off us going to Toulouse next week.”
