Tributes flow in as Peter Stringer hangs up his boots

Peter Stringer has tapped his last ankle...

Seven years after he last lined out for Ireland, at the age of 33, Peter Stringer has officially announced his retirement from professional rugby. The Cork native, who's career highlights include a Grand Slam and two Heineken Cups, played 21 seasons in the pro game. He spent 16 seasons with Munster and, following a permanent 2013 move to England, finished up with Premirrship sides Bath, Sale and, finally, Worcester. The scrum-half made 98 appearances for Ireland and was a key member of the core group that brought Triple Crown and Six Nations success back, as well as putting it up to the likes of South Africa and Australia. He scored, and set up, some massive tries in his time but he will be fondly remembered for his exquisitely timed ankle taps... In his farewell message, shared online, Stringer thanked all his former teammates and coaches, as well as reserving special words for his family and fans of every province, club or country-backing persuasion that followed his two over the past two decades. The 5-foot-7 Stringer remarked:

"To the coaches who never saw my size as disadvantageous, thank you."

https://twitter.com/stringer9/status/1011577628875161600 Since making the announcement, tributes, images, GIFs, videos and anecdotes have flooded in. https://twitter.com/LordLaurie58/status/1011578850440986624 https://twitter.com/MrAndrewCotter/status/1011599065702981634 https://twitter.com/OwainJTJones/status/1011601918261694466 https://twitter.com/jimmygopps/status/1011578631825580032 https://twitter.com/thepaulwilliams/status/1011597432566796289 https://twitter.com/bradbarritt/status/1011589940491284480 https://twitter.com/pHDunner/status/1011578967415980034 The last string has been pulled. Time for the next chapter.