His appointment promised increased movement between provinces when he was appointed, but the IRFU's performance director David Nucifora is set to put pressure on several players to change their provincial allegiances this season.
Ian Madigan is the first target, with the Leinsterman's contract up at the end of the season and is attracting interest. Nucifora and the IRFU will want Madigan to move south to Munster to give Ireland three starting options at outhalf, with Sexton and Jackson at Leinster and Ulster already first choice for their province.
Madigan is set to be offered a centralised contract, and with Bristol, Harlequins, and Bordeaux-Begles interested - Nucifora will be relying on Madigan's international ambitions to persuade him to join the Red Army. What this means for Ian Keatley's Munster and Ireland future is unclear.
According to the Irish Times, tying Madigan down to a new contract with Munster should see several other players moved - with Robbie Henshaw expected to replace Madigan in the Leinster backline, and Leinster set to lose several Irish squad members to other provinces.
There is a sense that Leinster's logjam at tighthead will see one of Martin Moore or Mike Ross move to Connacht, with Rodney Ah You expected to move north to Ulster. Tadhg Furlong is already on a two year deal, while both Ross and Moore have their deals expiring in June. While Leinster's overflowing backrow stars could see either or both of Dominic Ryan or Dan Leavy switch provinces given the form of Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier with Jamie Heasip, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, and Sean O'Brien already in situ.
See Also: Ian Madigan Has Some Big Decisions To Make If Latest Links Are To Be Believed
See Also: Ian Madigan Has Given A Very Honest Take On Where His Future Lies
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
