FORMER MUNSTER AND Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer was a crucial part of Bath’s latest sign of progress in the Premiership, helping Mike Ford’s men to a 27-27 draw away to Leicester.
The 36-year-old played 59 minutes in the thrilling clash with a Tigers side that included Irishman Niall Morris on the right wing. Stringer was making his 10th start of the season, and showed he still has much to offer at the top level of English rugby.
Morris’ Leicester snatched the draw in the dying seconds, when blindside flanker Jamie Gibson got over in the right-hand corner. Out-half Owen Williams was wide with the conversion attempt that would have cruelly denied Bath a share of the spoils.
Irish wing Morris didn’t see too much of the ball in the Welford Road encounter, making just two carries and completing three passes. His defence was only called upon on three occasions in a quiet outing. Stringer, meanwhile, was at the heart of the Bath challenge, making well over 30 passes as Anthony Watson, Francois Louw and Jonathan Joseph all scored tries.
Stringer helps George Ford to halt the run of Miles Benjamin this afternoon. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/Press Association Images.
Bath, now coached by former Ireland defence specialist Ford, remain third in the league after this result, but may be disappointed with their inability to hold onto the lead. 48-year-old Ford worked with Ireland from 2002 until 2005, when he first built a relationship with Stringer.
Morris is in the midst of something of a dry spell in terms of try-scoring and is still looking to get off the mark in the Premiership this season. Now a permanent fixture back on the right wing due to the return of Matthew Tait at fullback, the 25-year-old remains a player of interest to Ireland coach Joe Schmidt.
Leicester’s late capture of the two points this afternoon may prove important later in the season.
