RUGBY: Trimble wins Irish berth
DECLAN Kidney has named Ulster winger Andrew Trimble in Ireland's starting line-up against Italy.
The re-energised Trimble got the nod ahead of Keith Earls and Shane Horgan, with British Lion and former Ulster Provincial player, Tommy Bowe, expected to take the other three-quarter berth.
Trimble came on as a replacement in the game against Fiji last November, having not featured in the Irish senior panel since 2008.
Ulster teammates Paddy Wallace and Rory Best are among the replacements.
Having produced some tantalising displays for Ulster this season, including a wonder try against Bath just over a week ago in the Heineken Cup, Trimble has been displaying the sort of form which saw him as a regular starter – he has 25 Irish caps and scored 40 points.
Injuries did play their part in his exclusion of the past two summer tours, but Trimble admitted last week that he felt was getting back to his best but the challenge was getting onto the Irish squad.
Believing that he was close to fulfilling his goals again, Trimble said: "I have got to the point now that I feel I am close to fulfilling the goals."
But he laughed: "It is now up to Declan Kidney to decide if I am going to fulfil them or not."
Kidney has now rewarded Trimble with a spot on the starting side against the Italians as the Irish open their Six Nations defence – and it could also just be the springboard the former Coleraine Academical Institution player needs.
"Things have gone well for me recently," Trimble said at a Guinness media session for Ulster players in Banbridge. "I have been really enjoying my rugby over the last while.
"Especially the last couple of games in the Heineken Cup. I am feeling fit and feeling fast, getting more and more confidence with every game I have played this year for Ulster.
"Now there is a bigger challenge ahead. The Six Nations is the next target, there are opportunities there.
"But there are also a lot of guys playing really well at the minute too. I am not the only one who is playing reasonably well. It has got to the point now that you have to be playing exceptionally well to get a place in the Irish squad.
"Shane Horgan, Keith Earls and Tommy Bowe are all playing well. A lot of guys are doing great stuff. So it will be a case of wait and see what happens."
The 24-year-old began this season almost afresh, having gone through a knee operation which had been bugging him for most of the previous season and affecting his performances.
"I think this year has been hard work. It was a long pre-season with the operation and the 10 weeks off my feet and getting back into it.
"I enjoyed working hard and then when the games started I tried to get myself more momentum as Ulster did as well.
"I started to get into my game and built the confidence and kept it going. I am really enjoying how things are going."
As Ireland prepare to begin the defence of the title and a rare chance to complete back-to-back Grand Slams, Trimble said: "It would be quite an achievement. This year is going to be very difficult thought.
"Ireland are going to be the side everyone wants to beat now. There are good sides out there, playing well, playing good rugby. I think every team will raise their game again, and Ireland will have to raise that bar as well.
“It will be about getting the small things right, however, and that is what we were working on in Limerick last week and will be again when we return to our Irish base in Dublin ahead of the Italy game.”
The question is now, who from Ulster will join Trimble in the 22-man squad.
Stephen Ferris is battling against a bone injury and as the News Letter first reported on Saturday was a major doubt for Saturday.
With Paddy Wallace having played outhalf in the Ireland ‘A’ defeat to England Saxons, it would appear he may not be included in the mix for the Italian job at all.
Rory Best’s return to the game on Sunday for the shadow side will probably not be enough to see him make the cut this afternoon – although he could still feature in the Ireland Wolfhounds side at Ravenhill, where one place for a hooker was left vacant yesterday ahead of today’s announcement.
Tom Court is certainly a good bet to make the match day 22, but whether he will be rewarded for some big performances in the front row remains to be seen.
It could well be that Trimble will be the only starting Ulsterman against the Italians, if Ferris fails to get the green light.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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