Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan believes the return of pound-for-pound great Peter Stringer could make all the difference when his side hosts England at Croke Park this evening.
For the first time in his Test career, Stringer missed an international due to injury two weeks ago against France, but the diminutive scrum-half has proven his fitness for the RBS 6 Nations game against England, having recovered from a fractured hand.
The return of Stringer to the Irish side - he will be starting in the half-backs alongside Ronan O'Gara for the 47th time - along with captain Brian O'Driscoll, certainly solidifies a back line that failed to fire against the French.
And O'Sullivan is banking on the Munster number nine having a big influence on proceedings at Croke Park.
"It's not the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog with Peter. He does box well above his weight all the time.
"He puts in a huge number of tackles and always tackles people that are bigger than him because there's nobody smaller than him on the pitch."
He explained: "It's a big boost to have Peter back for a game like this.
"It's a pivotal game in the Six Nations for us and this is the one you want to have a full deck for.
"If we win we're right back in the hunt again.
"Peter is probably the best passer of the ball in the world at number nine - he gives the receiver so much time.
Despite his 5ft 7in, 11 stone frame, Stringer cuts an authoritative figure behind the Irish scrum and his presence and experience - tomorrow will mark his 74th cap - will be vital in the heat of the battle.
O'Sullivan added: "He's a good organiser, he barks at the pack and keeps them in line and they're all afraid to cross him and that dynamic is very important in a pivotal position.
"Isaac Boss had a fine game the last day but Peter has that extra edge of experience and he knows most of the pack that bit better than Isaac, having played with Munster.
"There's a little bit of pressure on Peter because he knows he has to put in a big game after being out of commission for a few weeks, but he is one guy I wouldn't worry about under pressure.
"He tends to get on with his job and the bigger the game the harder he works.
"That's why it's good to have him back. It's a good settling influence in that area of the field for us I think."
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