A call-up to the Ireland match day team to face Italy in the final Six Nations Championship match would be the icing on the cake for Andrew Trimble on Thursday.
The News Letter can reveal Ulster Rugby will confirm later this week that the 28-year-old winger is staying with the Province for another two years following a successful period of contract negotiations.
There has been some recent speculation surrounding the future of the talented international three-quarter, capped 155 times with Ulster, but it was always understood he wanted to remain with the Irish Province which has gone from strength to strength in the past few seasons.
However, it has been his omission from the Irish squad in recent times which had prompted some speculation over his future
He won his 49th Irish cap against South Africa during the November Test series last November, but was then replaced by Ulster stable mate Craig Gilroy for the game against Argentina.
It was a case of deja-vu ahead of the Six Nations Championship. Trimble was performing well in the Ulster jersey and it came as a surprise to many that having played for the Irish Wolfhounds against England Saxons that he was cut from the Irish squad.
But as Ireland continue to be crippled by injuries, the former Coleraine Academical Institution pupil found himself back in Dublin on Monday training with the squad which rekindled hope that Ireland coach, Declan Kidney, would include him in the match day 23 for the game against Italy on Saturday when Trimble could win his 50th cap for his country.
Trimble has a great ability to beat the first defender and punish loose kicks, with his raw pace making him a lethal finisher. He has scored eight tries this season for Ulster in 19 games.
Trimble joined Ulster on a development contract in 2004 and made his Irish debut in November 2005 against Australia and on his second appearance scored two tries against Romania - since bringing that tally up to 11.
Kidney is due to announce his team for Italy on Thursday - put back from Tuesday due to the injury crisis - and given Trimble’s rich vein of form in the RaboDirect PRO12 recently he could do worse than to turn to the Ulsterman in his hour of need and finish a disappointing Six Nations campaign on a high.
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