Retiring Trimble says dreams realised

Andrew Trimble last night called time on an illustrious playing career with Ulster and Ireland by announcing he will retire at the end of the season.

Trimble, 33, is following fellow wing veteran Tommy Bowe in his decision to bow out when Ulster play their last game of 2017-18, which seems set to be a Guinness PRO14 play-off against Ospreys later this month to determine which club takes the league’s final place in next season’s Champions Cup pool draw.

Between 2005 and 2017, Trimble won 70 caps for Ireland, scoring 17 tries while his Ulster career saw him make a record 229 appearances and 77 tries for his native province over 13 seasons.