PETER STRINGER IS keen to play on in professional rugby next season, as he gets set for his final appearance for Sale Sharks tomorrow.
The 39-year-old will leave the Premiership club this summer but remains hopeful of continuing to play in the 2017/18 campaign.
Stringer is a legend of Munster and Irish rugby, having helped the province to their two Heineken Cup successes, as well as earning 98 international caps and playing a part in Ireland’s 2009 Grand Slam success.
The emergence of Conor Murray limited Stringer’s first-team chances with Munster in his later years with the province and, after loan spells with Newcastle and Saracens in 2012, he joined Bath in 2013.
The scrum-half went on to help Mike Ford’s side into the Premiership final in 2015, when he started the defeat to Saracens, before moving to Sale last season and making 24 appearances in all.
Stringer has played 14 times for the Sharks this season and has been named on the bench for tomorrow’s final-round Premiership clash with Bath as he gets set to bid farewell to the club.
However, Stringer has not committed to retiring from rugby just yet. The42 understands that the former Munster man has been actively looking for a new club for next season and is currently considering his options.
Stringer’s sheer level of experience is an obvious attraction for clubs, while his passing quality remains superb.
Despite his age, the scrum-half is in excellent physical condition. Stringer is teetotal and has always impressed team-mates with his appetite for training.
It remains to be seen if the former Presentation Brothers College, Cork student agrees to a new deal – it’s believed nothing official is in place at the moment – but Stringer could clearly add value to many clubs.
His former Munster and Ireland team-mate, Donncha O’Callaghan, has enjoyed a fine season with Worcester and will play on next season at the age of 38.
O’Callaghan is another player famed for his highly-professional approach to training, injury prevention and recovery.
If Stringer does eventually opt to end his professional playing career, he will be content that he has left a fine legacy with Munster, Ireland and further afield, but right now the scrum-half believes he has more left to give.
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The two most exciting teams inbthe Pro14 lost against the odds heading into a European semi final. Should be a cracker on Saturday as both will be looking for improvements!! C’mon Leinster, from a a Munster fan!!!
Great battle for the No. 1 jumper in prospect between young guns Joey Cadbury and Jordan Lamour.
Don’t rate Ross Burn off the tee. He gets underneath the football and can send it careening wildly wide to either side. A young place-kicker like him, who’s finding his feet in the pro ranks, really needs to focus on the mechanics and structure of his run-up, rather than trying to force things. Doesn’t matter if his range is limited to 30 metres or so. It’s better for the fundamentals to be right of dominating the football, telling it who’s boss by the command and authority of one’s stance, and the conviction of connection followed by a smooth and powerful follow-through. As young Burn fills out, adds muscle and grows further, his range should increase little by little. I would have some concerns about the standards of kicking coaching at Leinster Rugby Union though.
If Lamour gets handed the No. 1 jumper for the weekend’s clash with Llanelli, I think it probably would be wise to have young Cadbury on the interchange bench. The young chap has a lot in his game that is reminiscent of Greg Inglis, from the way he runs and steps to the passes he throws. Unfortunately, I do think full-back will be his strongest position so one of he and Lamour will probably have to go somewhere else if they want to became the champion player they wish to be.
@Henry Suva: do you ever get bored of your own waffle?
@Henry Suva: By No.1 you surely mean No.10?
@Rudiger McMonihan: couldn’t have said it better! :-)
Don’t think Larmour has the size to be a prop
@Johnny Bellew:
Sorry, Johnny, yes. I was thinking in terms of rugby league numbering. My mistake.
@Henry Suva: what the hell are you talking about
@Henry Suva:
“Sorry, Johnny, yes. I was *pretending to* think in terms of rugby league numbering. My mistake.”
There Henry, fixed it for ya.
@Henry Suva: would you ever fcuk off
Or doesn’t the No. 1 wear 15 in the rugby union code? I’m not quite sure…
No one is sure of what you’re saying Henry, so you’re not alone