Trimble relishing Wales clash
Andrew Trimble admits his acceleration through the Ireland ranks has caught him by surprise – but his exposure to Test rugby has left him craving more.
Trimble will win his fourth cap and first RBS Six Nations Championship start on Sunday after being preferred to Ulster team-mate Tommy Bowe on the left wing for the Wales clash.
The 21-year-old is a hard-running back who, despite his wiry frame, can break tackles and has the gas to finish off chances – as his tally of three Test tries proves.
Trimble’s promotion to the starting line-up after featuring on the bench against Italy and France is well deserved and he is anxious not be overwhelmed by the occasion.
“The more opportunities you get to play for Ireland the more you want to do it again and again,” he said.
“Every match you grow in confidence and you grow in experience. I would like to think I improve as a player every game.
“I want to keep doing that. I want to keep learning from the players around me. I would not have anticipated having three caps at the beginning of the year.
“That’s the way it is and now the goalposts move and I want to achieve more and more.
“It’s important not to get overawed by it all. I am playing international rugby and I want to contribute.”
Trimble has been playing most of his rugby at centre for Ulster – he also made his Ireland debut in the number 13 shirt – and concedes he would rather operate in the midfield.
“All I can do is go out and play whatever position I am picked to play in but I think I would rather play in the centre,” he said.
“I have a bit more experience there and I feel a bit more comfortable there. But whether you have got 13 or 11 on your back, it doesn’t really matter.”
Bowe has paid the price for some indifferent performances – in truth coach Eddie O’Sullivan could have dropped him sooner – and Trimble sympathised with his rival who drops out of the squad altogether.
“It’s tough on Tommy. He had a solid game in Paris and it’s unfortunate that one of us has to lose out. I am disappointed for Tommy in that respect,” he said.
Ireland skipper Brian O’Driscoll believes Trimble has a bright future and is backing him to become a Test regular.
“Andrew has looked really sharp at training. He has taken his chances and thoroughly deserves his opportunity to be in the starting XV,” he said.
“He is a very exciting talent and a guy that is going to be there for the future.
“I don’t see any reason why he can’t cement a place in the team for himself, whether it be in the centre or whether it be on the wing as I think he is equally adaptable to either position.”
