New contract underlines Stringer’s value to Bath

Brian O’Driscoll may be calling time on his stellar career at the end of the season but his former Ireland team-mate Peter Stringer is set for at least another year.

Stringer won the vast majority of his 98 caps alongside O’Driscoll after making his international debut a few months after the Leinster centre.

Yet his decision to leave home shores is paying dividends, with Bath today due to confirm a one-year extension to his current contract that will see him continue playing top-flight rugby well past his 37th birthday.

After missing out on the 2011 World Cup, brief spells with Saracens and Newcastle led to a more permanent home in Bath, where he has played 34 times.

And his involvement shows no sign of slowing down, either, given he is keeping out Welsh international Martin Roberts and England Saxons cap Micky Young and is seen as one of the senior figures both on and off the field at the resurgent former powerhouse of English rugby.

Bath assistant coach Toby Booth said: “Peter comes from a winning culture at Munster so utilising his experience has been very influential in what is a very young group. We harness into that and he plays a pivotal role in the leadership of the group.

“The marked things is how he’s respected as a rugby player and as an individual. From that point of view, the longer he stays around, the better.”

A Grand Slam winner in 2009, a Triple Crown winner on three other occasions and a double Heineken Cup winner with Munster in 2006 and 2008, Stringer’s vast experience has seen him flourish in the Aviva Premiership at the Rec.

Bath’s Springbok flanker Francois Louw said: “Strings is an amazing player. You don’t play 98 games for Ireland by mistake.

“But it’s not just about how good he is as a player but also how he is as a mentor to the side and the young guys.

“I’ve learnt a lot from him. It’s amazing to play with a guy like him — I remember looking up to him as a schoolboy. He’s been amazing for the club in all respects. And he’s got a lot to give.”