Stringer compared to the greats

FORMER Scottish and Lions scrum half Roy Laidlaw says Peter Stringer is a national treasure.

Stringer hits the 75 cap mark for Ireland at Murrayfield today with his sights set on a third Triple Crown win.

Laidlaw has eulogised the Irish number nine and ranks him alongside the greats; Dave Loveridge (New Zealand), Gareth Edwards (Wales) and Pierre Berbizier (France). He believes the Irishman has some of the talents of all three and is convinced he is better than any of them in terms of the speed of his pass.

“It might not have been so important in the old days, but speed is everything now. Stringer gets the odd pass wrong, but the bulk of them are on target and presented with such speed that it gives the Irish backline an extra couple of seconds to contend with defenders. In that sense, there’s nobody better in the world.

“Stringer is worth every one of his 75 appearances for Ireland based on what he has achieved in the modern game.

“He has a lot of really good qualities. Sometimes he doesn’t do much more than let the ball out the line, or cut back inside, but he’s always capable of doing the unexpected. I’ve seen him do some amazing things, both for Munster and Ireland, when the opposition might have thought he wasn’t capable of doing much. He’ll bring off an amazing tackle – he’s the master of the ankle tap – and he will box kick and then maybe dart on the blind side when everyone facing him expects him to play a standard type of game.”

Part of Stringer’s success is, according to Laidlaw, due to the relationship he has built up with Ronan O’Gara.

“Ronan knows what Peter is going to do and vice versa. It’s all about a build up of trust. You know when they’re bitching at one another, but it never seems to last long, so that’s a hugely positive relationship and a huge bonus for any team,” he said.

Former Irish scrum half Robbie McGrath, who helped Ireland win their first Triple Crown in 33 years in 1982, is another fan.

“I just wish I had a pass like him when I played. Lots of people say he’s one-dimensional but anyone in the know will recognise that he does an awful lot of work on the fringes and he does the unexpected which helps to keep defences on their toes. He’s a little guy but he’s very physical and doesn’t shirk a challenge from anyone. He doesn’t often come out on the wrong side either!”