Stringer faces the battle of his career

IF Irish scrum-half Peter Stringer wanted the biggest challenge of his career, it would undoubtedly be to play against the best number nine in the world. He has that opportunity today at Lansdowne Road.

But the battle between the scrum halves is just one of the intriguing features of this game. You have George Gregan against Stringer; Steve Larkham against Ronan O'Gara; and George Smith against Keith Gleeson.

They're the type of battles Ireland will need to win if a major Southern Hemisphere scalp is to be had, and a marker laid down for next year's World Cup.