Peter Stringer may have just endured his 16th pre-season training programme as a professional but the Bath Rugby scrum-half has no plans for it to be his last.
The 98-cap Ireland international first arrived at The Rec in January, a month after turning 35, signing on a short-term loan deal as injury cover for Michael Claassens.
Stringer hit the ground running, scoring two tries on debut in an LV= Cup victory over Exeter and Claassens struggled to displace him from the team upon returning to full fitness.
That form – coupled with Claassens' departure to Toulon – prompted Bath director of rugby Gary Gold to offer the Irishman a permanent deal and Stringer hopes to be around for longer than the one year currently agreed.
"I've spoken to people who have retired and I think you know in the season beforehand. People say, 'Yeah, this is definitely my last season' but I am not there yet," said Stringer.
"It's difficult to put a number on it because I still feel the same as I did ten years ago.
"I just want to keep playing and as long as firstly, I am enjoying it – and I still do, I still love the game – and secondly, if I am playing at the standard I want to play at and the highest level I can, then I will keep going until either the mind or the body gives up.
"For now it's really good. You hear people say 'Stay at it as long as you can', and 'If you are happy with that then keep going'. I'm certainly of that mind-set."
The summer training programme at Bath's Farleigh House headquarters was Stringer's first away from home province Munster, for who he made his debut in 1998.
The two-time Heineken Cup winner, who also spent loan spells at Saracens and Newcastle Falcons in the 2011-12 season, says a fresh focus was exactly what he needed.
"I still feel really good. Pre-season is a tough time of year for everyone but I feel I've made progress this year again and we've done some great work," said Stringer.
"It was a bit different but it's good. I've really enjoyed it in new surroundings. I think I had 15 pre-seasons with Munster, so it's nice to mix it up.
"If I was just happy to pick up a pay cheque at Munster I probably would have stayed. I suppose when you are at one place for so long you become nearly institutionalised.
"I still wanted to play, still wanted more from the game and my enjoyment is being able to get out there on a Saturday and play.
"When that wasn't happening over the last couple of years I said I'd do something about it.
"I never really saw myself leaving and when you're picked regularly and are successful as a team, you're satisfied. But if that stops, you look somewhere else."
