Just a week after being named the fan's player of the year at Sale - Peter Stringer has been hit with another threat to his playing time. Former Wales and Lions scrumhalf Mike Phillips will be his competition for game-time after the giant scrumhalf signed with the Lancashire club.
Stringer started 15 games for Sale this season out of a possible 28, but seemed to be the first choice ahead of Chris Cusiter and James Mitchell. Despite signing a new deal with Sale, it would seem that he's got a battle on his hands to get as much time on the playing field as he got this year with Phillips around.
Sale will lose Danny Cipriani next year, but Dublin born US international AJ MacGinty will be the likely starter outside Phillips or Stringer. Phillips will be playing with Racing 92 in this month's Champion's Cup final, and will likely be part of Racing's playoff push in the Top 14.
Stringer will have the fans on his side at Sale, but this is yet another challenge to the popular passer in his lengthy career.
See Also: Here Is The Definitive Proof Of Just How Good Peter Stringer Still Is
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE