Stringer - schemer at scrum-half. (Allsport)

A promising youth player, Stringer made his Munster debut in 1999 and soon caught the eye of the national selectors.

Called into the Irish Senior squad in February 2000, he sat on the replacement bench for the game against England.

A fortnight later he won his first full cap against Scotland and has been an ever-present in the side since.

Strong, with good pace and a solid kicking game, Stringer has been one of the key reasons why Ireland have enjoyed a real renassiance of the last few seasons.

Alongside Ronan O'Gara, he needs to provide teh ammunition for arguably the most exciting three-quarter line in the competition.

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