Andrew Trimble (born 20 October 1984) is a former Irish rugby union player who played for Ulster and represented Ireland at international level.

Andrew Trimble
Birth nameAndrew David Trimble
Date of birth (1984-10-20) 20 October 1984 (age 40)
Place of birthColeraine, Northern Ireland
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight99 kg (15 st 8 lb; 218 lb)[1]
SchoolColeraine Academical Institution
UniversityQueen's University Belfast
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Ballymena ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2018 Ulster 229 (382)
Correct as of 26 February 2021[2]
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2017 Ireland 70 (85)
2005–13 Ireland Wolfhounds 3 (5)
Correct as of 26 February 2017

Club career

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He attended Coleraine Academical Institution,[3] where he competed in the Ulster Schools Cup.

He played at outside centre or on the wing for Ulster Rugby. In April 2006 he signed a new three-year deal with Ulster. Trimble also played club rugby for Ballymena RFC in the AIB League and has represented Ireland Schools and the Ireland U21 team.[4][5]

Due to a pre-season groin injury, however, he required surgery and missed part of the 2007–08 season.[6] He later underwent a hernia operation.[7] On 30 April 2009, Trimble underwent surgery on his right knee to remove a piece of chipped bone.[6]

In May 2018, Trimble announced that he would be retiring from rugby at the end of the 2017–18 season. He does however, on occasion, still partake in amateur level competition with his local Coleraine rugby club.[8][9][10]

International career

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Trimble, replacing the injured Brian O'Driscoll, made his debut for the Ireland national rugby union team during the 2005 IRB Autumn Internationals, against Australia.[4] He started again the following week against Romania, securing victory for the Irish with two tries.[4]

Building on his earlier success, Trimble made the 22-man squad for Ireland's 2006 Six Nations Championship opener against Italy. He came on as a second-half replacement to score his third try against France, the following week. In the 2007 and 2008, Trimble was a member of the Ireland team for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and played both on the wing and in the centre.[4] Due to injuries, he missed both Ireland's 2008 and 2009 summer tours.[6]

Trimble scored test tries for Ireland at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and the 2012 Six Nations Championship.

Trimble featured in the 2014 Six Nations Championship, scoring three tries in total, with a crucial one coming in the final Irish game of the championship against France in Paris which sealed the title.

In September 2015, Trimble was left out of the Ireland squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[11]

Career statistics

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International analysis by opposition

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Opposition Played Win Loss Draw Tries Points Win %
  Argentina 4 3 1 0 1 5 75
  Australia 5 2 3 0 0 0 40
  Canada 1 1 0 0 1 5 100
  England 9 4 5 0 0 0 44.44
  Fiji 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
  France 10 2 7 1 2 10 20
  Italy 8 8 0 0 4 20 100
  Namibia 1 1 0 0 1 5 100
  New Zealand 7 1 6 0 1 5 16.67
  Romania 1 1 0 0 2 10 100
  Russia 1 1 0 0 1 5 100
  Samoa 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
  Scotland 7 5 2 0 3 15 71.43
  South Africa 5 2 3 0 1 5 40
  United States 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
  Wales 8 4 3 1 2 10 50
Career 70 38 30 2 17 85 54.29%

as of 18 February 2024[12]

Honours

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Individual

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  • Ulster Rugby Player of the Year (4): 2006,[4] 2010,[13] 2013,[14] 2014[15]
  • BT Irish Rugby Union Players Association's newcomer of the year[citation needed]
  • Pro14 Team of the Year (1): 2013-14
  • IRUPA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2014
  • The Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year (1): 2014[16]
  • Ulster Rugby Writers’ Player of the Year (1): 2014[15]
  • Ulster Rugby Supporters Club Player of the Year (2): 2013, 2014[15]

Ulster

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Ireland

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Personal life

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Trimble attended Coleraine Academical Institution.[5] After graduating, he attended Queen's University Belfast to study physics.[5] After a year however, he dropped out, and decided to study Theology at Belfast Bible College instead.[5] He supports Liverpool F.C. Trimble married his wife, Anna, in March 2009.

Trimble is a devout Christian who reads Psalm 84 to prepare before every match.[17]

Trimble holds both British and Irish passports.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Ireland Squad | Profiles : Irish Rugby | Official Website". Archived from the original on 7 December 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Andrew TRIMBLE, Centre". ITS Rugby. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Player Profiles: Ulster Rugby 1st XV". Ulster Rugby. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Andrew Trimble". Irish Rugby. Archived from the original on 11 April 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d O'Brien, John (5 March 2006). "Heaven on earth, but there's better to come". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  6. ^ a b c "Trimble ruled out until next season". Irish Independent. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  7. ^ Kelly, David (4 March 2009). "Trimble targets the best of both worlds". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Model pro Andrew Trimble has created fine legacy for himself". Irish Independent. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Andrew Trimble can't stop Limavady picking up five from five". DerryNow.com. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  10. ^ Jarlath Rega n (24 November 2019). "Andrew Trimble". An Irishman Abroad (Podcast) (323 ed.). SoundCloud. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  11. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2015: Andrew Trimble left out of Ireland squad". BBC Sport. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  12. ^ "Career Figures". espnscrum. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  13. ^ Richard Mulligan, "Henry hat-trick caps super year", News Letter, 21 May 2010
  14. ^ Richard Mullugan, "Nevin Spence honoured at Ulster Rugby awards", News Letter, 11 May 2013
  15. ^ a b c "Trimble Completes Ulster Awards Hat-Trick". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Andrew Trimble picks up player of the year award". Irish Times. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Five Top Players on God's Rugby Squad". eden.co.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  18. ^ "Andrew Trimble: People in the Republic are not ready for a united Ireland". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
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