Key contributions came in all sizes

WHEN a heavyweight praises the lightweight, you sit up and take notice. Ireland’s biggest man, John Hayes, played a huge role in the victory over Wales at Lansdowne Road yesterday, but gave most of the credit to the smallest and lightest player on the pitch, the diminutive Peter Stringer.

Hayes almost bowled over half the team in an effort to congratulate the scrum half when he scored a late try. He commented: “he was buzzing out there, getting around the place, passing well and he made a few great breaks to put the pressure on them. He had a brilliant game and it was great to see him finish off such a good display with a try.”

Hayes had every reason to feel happy with the outcome on a day when he won his 60th cap but explained that the milestone had hardly entered his head. “When you get out on the pitch, you only think about a couple of things - dominating the opposition and winning.