Two warm-up games in, both Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan have had a go in the No 10 position as they vie for a spot as Jonathan Sexton's main back-up in the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
With the intensity of the competition for places as the backdrop, Madigan joined us on Off The Ball to talk about the build-up from his perspective and he touched on his relationship with Jackson and Sexton.
"It's really, really competitive. If you look across the squad, it's minimum two people competing for each spot, in plenty of positions there's three. So there's times when Jonny and Paddy would be on the field training against each other and I'd have to sit out for a few reps," he said.
"You're hoping that the session goes well but you're kind of watching, going 'I hope he doesn't do something too good here."
However, while the competition is strong, he also added that the time spent together means he, Sexton and Jackson have a strong bond.
Madigan also spoke about what life really is like in camp with Ireland as the days tick down to the World Cup, and the challenge of game-management - with the Leinster man aware that that part of his game is often scrutinised in the media.
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