‘I haven’t given up hope of one more Irish cap’

PETER STRINGER says he would jump at the chance to play for Ireland again − even though it’s more than three years since his last cap and he has had no contact with coach Joe Schmidt since he took over last year from Declan Kidney.

The 36-year-old scrum-half won the last of his 98 caps off the bench in the 2011 Six Nations win over England in Dublin but he believes his form at Bath this season merited a call from Schmidt and his selectors to say his performances were being monitored, at least.

‘There hasn’t been any contact but I am still available for selection,’ said Stringer ahead of tomorrow’s Ireland squad announcement for next month’s two-Test tour to Argentina.

‘At this stage all I can keep doing is keep p playing, y g, keep p enjoying jy g it and keep playing well here at Bath. You have to be playing well and be part of a successful succe team and Bath are looking to get to t those levels, winning play-offs, winning Premierships, winning Euro European competitions competit so you are known a as being part of a winning team.

‘I certa certainly haven’t given up hope a and I’m certainly available. availab I’d love to play for Ireland Ire again. It’s the p pinnacle. If it happens hap someday well we and good but I’m enjoying my rugby at the r minute, enjoying how competitive it is. We’ll see what w happens.’