Life in the old dogs yet... why Stringer is far from alone as a Prem golden oldie
WHEN it was announced scrum-half legends Mike Phillips and Peter Stringer were leaving Sale Sharks this summer it was assumed both were hanging up their boots.
While Wales and Lions great Phillips has gone into rugby retirement swapping the No.9 jersey for the turntables as he prepares to make his DJing debut at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd this week, Stringer has signed a sixmonth deal with Worcester Warriors.
Despite turning 40 this December, the 98-times capped Irishman, has signed on at Sixways while Francois Hougaard is expected to miss the first three months of the season playing for South Africa in The Rugby Championship and autumn internationals.
Stringer, who began his professional journey with Munster way back in 1998. said: “I’m feeling as fit and ready as ever and am genuinely excited about getting back on the field as I feel I still have plenty to offer.”
Should Stringer play in the Aviva Premiership when he turns 40 on December 13, it’s still unlikely to make him the oldest to turn out in the English top flight.
We give you the top 10 oldest Premiership players featuring two former Welsh internationals, an English prop, who used to turn out for Bridgend and a New Zealandborn front-rower who also had a spell at the Brewery Field... BRAD THORN The 59-times New Zealand lock left the Test scene back in 2011 after making his debut against Wales, in Hamilton eight years earlier.
But he remains the only player to turn out in the Premiership aged 40 or over so far when paying for Leicester against Bath in May 2015 aged 40 years and 109 days. PAUL TURNER The three-times capped Welsh outside-half is much travelled in the English game as both a player and coach with spells at Sale, Saracens, Gloucester, Harlequins and Wasps all on a stellar CV.
And it was in January 1999 aged 39 years and 324 days that the former Dragons supremo became the second oldest player ever in the Premiership when turning out for Bedford against Saracens. CHRIS BUDGEN The Hamilton, New Zealand-born prop, coupled playing top level rugby while serving as soldier in the British Army.
He began life with Bridgend spending two seasons in south Wales before playing for Northampton Saints and then Exeter Chiefs.
He played for the Sandy Park outfit in November, 2012, aged 39 years and 287 days. PETER STRINGER He could well move up from fourth in the golden oldie list having signed a six-month deal with Worcester Warriors.
For now his last appearance for Sale Sharks against Bath on May 6 this year aged 39 years and 144 days puts him in fourth spot. GRAHAM DAWE The former Bath hooker played in the last of his five internationals against Samoa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup aged 36.
Three years later he was still plying his trade having left Bath for Sale and played against Saracens aged 39 years and 16 days. TONY WINDO The popular prop became a cult figure at Gloucester before moving to Worcester having played against Newcastle in 2008 aged 39 years and 10 days. GARETH LLEWELLYN The Neath lock was once Wales’ most capped player making 92 Test appearances.
He skippered his country seven times and appeared in three World Cup squads.
His club career took him over the Severn to Bristol and in March 2008 he appeared for Bristol against arch west country rivals Bath aged 39 years and four days. VICTOR MATFIELD The lineout colossus for the Springboks spent some time with Northampton Saints and in May 2016 played against Gloucester at the age of 38 years and 362 days. JULIAN WHITE The rugged prop, capped 51 times by England as well as making four appearances for the 2005 Lions, cut his front-row teeth at Bridgend in the 1998-99 season before moving to Saracens, Bristol and then Leicester Tigers.
It was at Welford Road in March 2012 he played against Gloucester aged 38 years and 295 days. ANDY DEACON The prop spent seven seasons at Gloucester playing against arch rivals Bath in 2004 aged 38 years and 282 days.