English Under 20 backrower joins the Manly Marlins - to play prop

THE Manly Marlins have acquired an English Under-20 backrower who has come to Australia to learn the dark arts of frontrow play.

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THE  Manly Marlins have acquired an English Under-20 backrower who has come to Australia to learn the dark arts of frontrow play.

Hayden Stringer plays for the English powerhouse Saracens and has joined the Marlins as part of his rugby development.

“This season I have moved from backrow to prop,” Stringer said. “And propping wise I have come on quite well.

“Swarries obviously thought it would be a good chance for me to get another season under my belt so I am playing back to back seasons.

“That is good for me because I need the experience to try and help me.”

Manly has an association with Saracens as forwards Ed Gower and Dave Porecki have played with the leading British outfit.

Manly Marlins special agent Brian Melrose..

Marlins special agent Brian Melrose contacted the club through his contacts and said they were looking for a prop for this season.

A move into the frontrow had been suggested to Stringer growing up but he pushed the idea aside.

Two years ago he was a backrower in the English team, which won the Under 20 World Cup in New Zealand.

“At the beginning of this (English) season I said to myself ‘why not’. A few coaches said if I get enough experience and I am performing well I could push on to a higher level than Saracens but I’ll take it step by step,” he said.

“I thought career wise it was a better decision for me to move that way.

“I am enjoying it a lot more because it is a one on one battle.”

Saracens in action against Bath. Picture: Getty Images.

Stringer, 21, was originally due to arrive on March 6 but when he was at Heathrow waiting for his flight he got a frantic call from the club saying they had been hit by injuries and needed him to stay.

He finally got here the Tuesday before last and had a weird introduction to Sydney club rugby playing second grade against battlers Penrith at Manly Oval.

He was then used as a ­replacement in the first-grade game, which Manly won 79-5.

“I probably got involved in at least 30 scrums,” he said.

“But it is what I am here for, I am here to play rugby.”

Stringer will face a far greater challenge this afternoon with his call-up into the Marlins first grade starting side for the clash with the undefeated Shute Sheld competition leaders Randwick at Coogee Oval.