Leinster head coach Matt O'Connor has expressed an interest in bringing Peter Stringer to Leinster next season. Bath have recently announced that Peter Stringer will be leaving the midlands club at the end of the season.
Peter Stringer Leinster
Without a club for the start of next season, it appears that Leinster could be the unlikely suitors to the 99 times capped Irish scrumhalf. With Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss likely to be away at the start of next season at the World Cup. Given John Cooney will be turning his loan stint into a permanent stay at Connacht, Leinster will be left with only one scrumhalf - Luke McGrath- with Pro 12 experience next year, with one other - Ireland U20 captain Nick McCarthy- in the academy.
Speaking at the Leinster press conference today, as picked up by The42.ie, O'Connor indicated that they are looking for scrumhalf cover in the likelihood they are short.
We’re probably in a position where we might lose two nines for the World Cup, going on the current [Ireland] ranking. So anyone who comes onto the market is of interest to us.
I think he [Stringer] is doing a great job for Bath. I think he’s been very good for them and if it was a World Cup slot, or whatever, well then it might be an opportunity for us.
It seems ludicrous that a Munster legend could appear in the blue of Leinster, but the idea of the experienced Stringer mentoring the likes of promising Luke McGrath and Nick McCarthy would be big for Irish rugby.
At the same time, O'Connor suggested that he is keeping a close eye on Grenoble's Irish scrumhalf James Hart, who moved to France after failing to get an academy contract with Leinster. Hart has been flourishing under Bernard Jackman at the Alpine club, but is contracted until 2017.
James is a good player doing a good job for Grenoble. All those guys, especially the Irish-qualified ones, are of interest to us.
Hat-tip: The42.ie
