Stringer relishes scrum-halves battle for next summer’s Lions tour

PETER STRINGER has welcomed the availability of rival scrum-halves Rob Howley and Bryan Redpath for next summer’s Lions tour.

Lions boss Clive Woodward revealed earlier this month that he would be happy to select players who no longer compete in the Test arena for the trip to New Zealand.

Former Wales skipper Howley made it known last season he would relish the chance to pull on the fabled red jersey once again and his form for Wasps suggests he would be a valuable addition to the squad. He will have hit 34 when the tour departs and boasts a wealth of experience, not least with the Lions after winning places on the last two tours to Australia and South Africa, starting all three Tests against the Wallabies.

Redpath has never represented the cream of British and Irish rugby but a good season for Sale could catapult the ex-Scotland captain into the reckoning - especially given the current dearth of stand-out scrum-halves.

Matt Dawson's best days look behind him and his England team-mate Andy Gomarsall has yet to convince, Wales duo Dwayne Peel and Gareth Cooper have much to prove, while Scotland's Chris Cusiter is still a rookie.

Obviously much can change between now and May 25 when the Lions are scheduled to depart for New Zealand but at the moment, Woodward is hardly blessed with quality options to fill the number nine shirt. Howley and Redpath thus have a genuine opportunity to resurrect their Test careers and Stringer - a veteran international who will figure heavily in Woodward's thinking intends to meet their challenge head on.

"There are a lot of guys who will be in the running - including Rob and Bryan - and they're all playing well," said the 26-year-old Munster back.

"But competition is good - it's what you need to drive you on.

"It's every player's ambition to be selected for the Lions.

"A lot can happen in a year, but it's there in the back of your mind."