Trimble commits to new Ireland contract

Posted on Jan 12, 2011 in Rugby News

Andrew Trimble has become the latest player to commit his future to playing in Ireland with his home province Ulster by putting pen to paper on a new Ireland international contract that will see him remain playing in Ravenhill for a further two years until the end of the 2012-13 season.

Andrew Trimble’s signature follows a successful period of contract negotiations with fellow Ireland international Stephen Ferris also signed under an Ireland international contract until 2013 as well as Nevin Spence, Paddy McAllister and Dan Tuohy also being retained by Ulster Rugby.

Andrew Trimble also joins a growing list of international contracts being awarded with Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Cian Healy also recently signing Ireland contracts. Trimble made his Ulster debut in September 2005 against Cardiff Blues and has so far played 111 times for his province. He quickly followed that debut with his first international appearance for Ireland against Australia in November and has so far won 31 caps and has scored eight international tries.

Andrew Trimble said, “Ulster and Irish rugby are going from strength to strength and my decision to stay in Ireland was to make sure I was part of that. We have some big games coming up, so I am really happy that I was able to agree my new contract before we went into the busy period. As well as the challenges we have in the Heineken Cup and Magners League coming up, I was conscious that I also wanted to concentrate on playing as well as possible here with Ulster so I can challenge for a place with Ireland ahead of the Six Nations and the World Cup this year. Our game this weekend against Biarritz is my first priority and everybody in Ulster Rugby is firmly focused on that.”

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “It is great news that the IRFU and Andrew have come to an agreement that allows him to continue his playing career in Ireland with Ulster. It is important for both the Provinces and Ireland to keep as many of our top players playing here.”

Director of Rugby in Ulster David Humphreys said: "Here at Ulster Rugby we’re delighted that Andrew has chosen to continue and further his rugby career in Ireland. He’s enjoying a rich vein of form, and as one of the senior members of the Ulster Squad he’s played an integral part in the improvements we’ve made this season. As we saw from his performance last weekend against Teviso, he’s certainly back to his best."

Ulster Squad Named For Edinburgh Match

Posted on Sep 15, 2010 in Irish Rugby

Coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 27 man Ulster panel ahead of announcing his starting XV and replacements for this Friday’s match against Edinburgh at Ravenhill (ko 8.05pm) later this week.

With two wins from two in the League to date, Ulster will be looking to consolidate their good start to the season but following last weekend’s winning performance against Aironi, the coaching staff were adamant that there is plenty to work on.

Rory Best, who was injured in the opening match against the Ospreys and rested for last weekend’s trip to Aironi is included in the panel, as is prop BJ Botha, who returned to Belfast last week following the conclusion of the Tri Nations.

Andrew Trimble could be set to make an earlier then expected return to rugby following finger surgery this summer and has been named alongside the man who was brought into the squad as his short-term cover, USA Eagle Paul Emerick.

Edinburgh defeated Ulster 13-16 on their last visit to Ravenhill, something Ulster will want to ensure there is no repeat of this Friday, but the Ulstermen will be vary of the Scottish side, who come to Belfast on the back of two League defeats.

Ulster Forwards
Tom Court, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, BJ Botha, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Ryan Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack, Pedrie Wannenburg

Ulster Backs
Adam D’Arcy, Jamie Smith, David McIlwaine, Paul Emerick, Andrew Trimble, Jonny Shiels, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Ian Humphreys, Niall O’Connor, Ian Porter, Paul Marshall

Ireland announce team

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney has named the team to play France in the second game of the RBS 6 Nations Championship in Paris on Saturday. Keith Earls has been selected on the left wing in place of Andrew Trimble.  Donncha O’Callaghan has not recovered from the injury that ruled him out of the opening game. Leo Cullen has been named to start in the second row.

A vacancy has been left blindside flanker pending confirmation of the fitness of Stephen Ferris. Both players took part in training with the Ireland team today but a final decision will be made on Thursday. The seven replacements will also be finalised on Thursday from the possible nine players named today.
(more…)

Ireland make eight changes for Fiji game

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

There are eight changes to the Ireland team that drew 20-20 with Australia to the side that will take on Fiji this weekend in the second game of the 2009 Guinness Series.

The game, which will be the first ever international to take place in the Royal Dublin Society grounds, sees five changes to the backline and three in the pack.

Keith Earls, who replaced the injured Luke Fitzgerald against Australia, retains his place on the left wing with Shane Horgan coming in on the right wing for Tommy Bowe.

(more…)

Ireland squad update

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

The Ireland squad transferred to their Killiney base today ahead of their second game in the 2009 Guinness Series against Fiji in the RDS next Saturday (Kick off 5.15pm).

The six day turnaround will mean a truncated preparation for the Ireland team and 14 players have been added to the squad for this week. This includes several players who were involved in the Ireland A win over Tonga such as Andrew Trimble, Shane Horgan and Brett Wilkinson.

(more…)