The most capped Ireland scrum half of all time Peter Stringer was a busy presence at the base of the Irish ruck for over a decade from 2000 to 2011.
He formed a superb combination with fly half Ronan O’Gara as Ireland won the Triple Crown in 2004, 2006 and 2007 and again in 2009 when Ireland won the Six Nations and Grand Slam for the first time since 1948 – and only the second time in their history.
Stringer is Munster’s most ever capped player with 230 appearances and scored a try when the province won the European Cup for the first time in their history against Biarritz in 2005-06.
After leaving Munster he had spells with Saracens, Newcastle, Bath, Sale and Worcester, who he left in 2017 at the age of 40. But his playing days may not be over yet.
What are your thoughts on the Six Nations so far?
It’s an exciting championship as it always is. Many upsets and a lot of surprises I think along the way.
From an Irish point of view – a tough game against France, particularly over at Stade de France. Ireland had to fight so hard to get the win and only pulled off an incredible victory in the last couple of seconds.
Ireland are in a good place at the moment with the win against Italy and Wales.
I think we’ll see them go into the final game of the championship against England at Twickenham as favourites.
19 February, 2000: Stringer celebrates victory over Scotland 44-22 in his Test debut.
How does this Ireland team compare with great Irish teams you played with?
It’s difficult to compare. We were a side who had a lot of work and built up a squad over a number of years.
I think probably the difference with the squad comparing from when I was playing, you’re looking at 40, 45 guys now who are capable of slotting into that green jersey.
Whereas back when I was playing you had a squad of probably 25-30 guys who were capable of playing at that level and if you were to lose any guys to injury of your starting team, you’re delving into guys who wouldn’t have had exposure at that international level.
So looking at Irish Rugby as a whole you feel it’s currently in a good place?
I think you have to be happy. There was a bit of a lull there in the last couple of years where you’re competing against French money and English money with these big foreign players coming over and New Zealanders.
There was a bit of a lull there from an Irish point of view in Europe – Munster and Leinster were struggling to get out of their groups when they had been winning it in previous seasons.
Now Ireland are back up there and certainly Munster – I’ve been watching them quite closely. A lot of guys coming through, putting their hand up.
Since the terrible passing of Anthony Foley there seems to have been an incredible revival and the coaching staff that had worked with Anthony and the new guys that have come in have just bought in to this whole new concept of playing and playing for each other and its done incredible stuff for the province.
Match 21, 2009: Stringer celebrates winning the Grand Slam after beating Wales in Cardiff.
You were great friends with Anthony. His passing must have hit you hard.
It had an incredible effect on people.
I was playing in Sale with Sale Sharks at the time and came back over for the funeral and attended the Munster-Glasgow game the day after and I’ve never seen atmosphere or emotion like it in the stadium.
Not only in Ireland.
I think the effect it had on people all over the world and in world rugby, it showed the mark of the man and the character that he was and I just know that the players who are there now, I know how much he meant to them as a friend, as a coach – some of them as a fellow player.
He had a passion for the game, he was from the area and all he wanted to do was coach Munster.
Speaking to a lot of the guys now who were there – a lot of his ideas and his tactics and his moves, everything is coming to the fore now and the coaches who have stepped in are using he foundation that Anthony and his team would have put in place.
In Ireland as a whole, the way the national team showed a mark of respect before they played the All Blacks in Chicago forming a No8 on the field before the kickoff.
He was an incredible guy, he was very close friend of mine, my No8 for the best part of ten years.
Anthony Foley, former Ireland No8 and Munster head coach, who passed away suddenly in 2016.
You are 40 now but still incredibly fit. Are you considering playing on?
I’m back in Ireland at the moment with the wife and our ten month old baby boy.
For the best part of the last five or six years recently we’ve been in the UK and especially with the new arrival it’s nice to be around family.
I’m looking at a couple of options but it’s not just me that I have to think about now it’s my wife and Noah my son – he started walking the other day, he’s very active.
I’m just happy at the moment to keep my ear out and if something does come up that I’d be happy to go for then certainly I would be ready for it.
You’re a regular visitor to Dubai. Any chance we might see you out here playing or coaching?
I’ve been to Dubai 16, 17 times over the last number of years so it’s a place I like. I have lot of friends out there as well. A good friend of mine Mike Phillips has moved out there recently as well. You never know, you never know.
So if you’re a rugby club in Dubai looking for a good No9 for next season – you might like to give Peter a try.
