Andrew Trimble, Ulster’s most-capped player of all-time and a Six Nations winner with Ireland in 2014, has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old, who has earned an impressive 229 Ulster caps and 70 Ireland caps over a memorable 13-year career, made the announcement today in an open letter to supporters.
— andrew trimble (@andrew_trimble) May 3, 2018
Trimble won 70 caps for Ireland, making his debut against Australia in November 2005. He went on to represent Ireland at two Rugby World Cups (2007 and 2011) and cruelly missed out on a third through injury on the eve of the 2015 tournament.
The powerful winger started every game of the 2014 Six Nations title-winning campaign, playing a starring role with tries against Scotland, Italy and France.
He was a member of the team that beat South Africa in Cape Town and started in Chicago in the historic victory over New Zealand in November 2016. Over the course of his international career, he scored 17 tries for Ireland.
An Open Letter from Andrew Trimble
I know that I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have realised not one of my dreams, but two of them – to play for Ulster and to play for Ireland. These have been some of the most fulfilling days of my life and I feel nothing but gratitude for them.
But there’s no way of stopping time – and I see that each day in the lives of my two young children, who are now close to beating me over five metres! So I wanted to let you know that this will be my last season playing professional rugby.
I want to thank Ulster Rugby for allowing me the time and space to think things through before making what is probably the toughest decision that any professional sportsman will make. Most of all, I want to thank you – the loyal and dedicated supporters of this special province.
I know that nothing will come close to the experience of taking the field and hearing you raise your voices in support of the team.
You stood up for me. I only hope that I stood up for you.
With deepest thanks,
Andrew Trimble