Andrew Trimble hails Ulster tribute to Nevin Spence

Ulster made the announcement yesterday on the 10th anniversary of the young centre’s death following the tragic accident when he died with his father Noel and brother Graham.

The Nevin Spence Memorial Stand will be officially unveiled on 26 April 2023 on what would have been Nevin’s 33rd birthday.

“It is a beautiful tribute to name the stand that,” said Trimble. “I’m sure Emma (sister), his mum and the rest of the family are delighted, it is such an honour for them. I know they are very proud of Nev, and I know that will make them even more proud and it is a nice gesture from Ulster.

“I think it is really important to remember a young fellow who had a massive impact on the people around him as well as Ulster Rugby, the players, the staff, the supporters and beyond into Irish rugby as well.

“He certainly had a big impact on me, and my life and I miss him massively.

“Every year when the anniversary of Nev comes around you get reminded of just how influential he was and how much he contributed in such a short space of time and just how much of a tragedy the whole thing was.

“I think it is just so important that we continue to remember him, Nev stood up for everything that Ulster rugby was about.”

Trimble firmly believes Spence would have played for Ireland.

“Nev had an athleticism that was pure raw,” he said. “I imagine as he went through his 20’s he would have refined that and added to it and probably would have kicked on to become what people would have anticipated him to become.”