Peter Stringer talks about his career and adjusting to retired life

Former Munster and Ireland scrum half Peter Stringer had a career that a young player starting out could only dream of. 98 caps, a Grand Slam and three Triple Crowns with Ireland and he also played a huge role in Munster’s two Heineken Cup victories in 2006 and 2008.

Stringer retired from playing at the age of 40 last year and has swapped the playing field for the punditry arena and his job as a personal trainer. He can also currently be seen on RTÉ show Dancing with the Stars.

The Six Nations brings back some great memories for him but he is quick to point out that things weren’t as good for Ireland against the old enemy as they have been in recent times.

“I suppose the early days were terrible. You were beaten by 40, 50 points. That first game I was sitting on the bench in 2000 and didn’t get on.

“Probably just as well really. A lot of careers kind of ended that day in Twickenham in 2000. 2003 then another bad day. A Grand Slam decider in Lansdowne Road.

“But then, as the years went on we had some good days over in Twickenham, Triple Crowns and we had some good days against England as well. It’s nice to see that the roles have reversed in recent times, it’s been good.”

His final Irish cap, coincidentally, came against England in 2011. It was a game that Ireland won convincingly but his last appearance in an Ireland jersey was as a substitute late on in the game.

“You know what, I look back on it, I came on for five minutes in that game, missed one tackle, it was my only involvement in the game.

To finish a game like that, you don’t reflect that as being you’re last game, you don’t even think about that.

“You think about the moments where you scored tries in Triple Crown games, you scored in different games, you win a Grand Slam, you’re part of a team that probably changed Irish rugby from that 2000 era onwards along with the other guys.

“You look back on those memories and you see what it’s done for Irish rugby and you’re proud of those kind of moments. It was tough watching the Ireland team initially like I said but now I’m a fan. I’m able to enjoy those wins.

“Being at Twickenham last year for a Grand Slam, working at the side of the pitch, freezing cold and being able to enjoy it. I’m glad that I’m at peace with the whole thing now.”

Stringer has been enjoying life six months on from calling it quits after spells with different Premiership clubs in England.

He had loan spells at Saracens and Newcastle before making the plunge full time with Bath, Sale and then Worcester Warriors.

Although he was happy to call it quits, Stringer admits that he still felt that he could play at the top level of the game.

“They’ve been amazing (the six months). I always struggled when I was playing in the last few years of my career in terms of – not struggled with retiring but the thought of how I would feel after I retired.

“I’m in a really good place physically, mentally how I’ve left the game. I’ve said before when I announced my retirement I still felt I could play at the highest level.

“I left it in a place where, I was 40 years of age… in terms of where I was with my family in the UK, there weren’t many opportunities to continue with two or three-year contracts – no clubs were giving that sort of security.

“So to be able to go out at the Premiership, highest level, feeling fitter and stronger than I did going into professional rugby 20 years ago, no injuries, feeling fit and healthy and learning some incredible skills and values in those years.

“I’m in control of my own life now and living by my own schedule.  It’s amazing. To spend time with family, take time out and have that little bit of freedom where you’re not living by someone else’s schedule and to just put it into your own life so you can live the life you want to live.”