Jimmy Gopperth
Leinster skills coach Richie Murphy has confirmed reports that Jimmy Gopperth is talking to other clubs and will leave the province at the end of the current season.
Ireland’s first-choice flyhalf Jonathan Sexton will return to Leinster next season after a stint with Racing Metro and utility back Ian Madigan – Sexton’s understudy with the national team – is contracted until 2016.
It is understood that Wasps are favourites to sign New Zealander Gopperth, who would move at the end of the current season, but that he is talking to a number of clubs across Europe.
“Jimmy was given a heads-up early on about Johnny [Sexton] coming back and he feels he still wants to be a first-team player,” Murphy said.
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“He has decided to have a look around and that is where that is at the moment. We are aware that he is looking and we are aware that Wasps were talking to him but they aren’t the only team talking to him.
“He is a quality player and tens are hard to come by around Europe.
“It was probably a tough enough position for him to be in but you wouldn’t see that on a daily basis,” Murphy continued.
“He is the same person he was last year and he put in a good performance last Sunday.”
Murphy said that Leinster would also look to lock Madigan in on a long term contract and that negotiation would start around the time of the World Cup next September.
“That process of signing Ian will start in and around that World Cup time,” he said.
“Ian has been a fantastic player for us this season and his goal kicking has been phenomenal.
“His ability to slot in and out of different positions is great and he has no preconceived notions about where he should be playing.”