RUGBY: Trimble named Ulster Player of the Year

Trimble crowned a great season with Ulster, which saw him named Player of the Year at an awards night last week in La Mon House Hotel. And he is hoping that it will push him on to greater things this summer with Ireland as well as with Ulster next year.

"I have been really pleased with how this year has gone and I want to push on now and do bigger and better things.

"I want to push on with Ulster and get bigger results and get more success with them and I want to get back in that green jersey as well.

"I am looking forward to the summer tour. It was a relief in many ways to get picked and now it is up to me to get the head down, put the work in.

"Going 'Down Under' is always a hard place to go and it does not get much tougher than playing for New Zealand and Australia.

"We have a difficult job ahead, but it is one the entire squad are looking forward to and being challenged by the best."

While the try against Bath, in which Trimble received the ball deep in his own '22' and proceeded to run the length of the pitch to score at The Recreation Grounds during the Heineken Cup pool match, was one of the highlights of his season, the entire day stands out for him.

"The whole day was just tremendous. There were so many supporters over and they really got behind us. We went on to win our first game in England in the Heineken Cup.

"The only downside was not getting the bonus point which would probably have given us something further to play for in Europe."

As for the future for Ulster, Trimble believes the past season could be a 'foundation year' for the club.

"Yes, there were some disappointing bits and pieces during the season, but overall I think this squad has made great progress. We have shown at times how good we are and the great game we can play.

"There are some new signings coming in over the summer, older and experienced players, which will give us good balance to the side and I think it is something the young players will thrive from."

Trimble has enjoyed a tremendous campaign. Coming back this season revitalised after surgery to his knee, his natural strength and aggression meant he feared no-one and challenges everyone. He emerged onto the Ulster scene in 2005, making his senior Ireland test debut the following November against Australia.

The 26-year-old recently broke through 100 caps with Ulster and it is widely expected he will add to his 27 Ireland caps this summer having been included in the senior squad to travel to New Zealand and Australia.

An exciting backline talent, Trimble continues to delight the Ulster crowds with his agile footwork and ability to run with the ball. A powerful-running player, he is equally as comfortable on the wing or at centre.

This season's fantastic performances, including five tries for Ulster, earned him a place in the starting XV for Ireland against Italy in the Six Nations opener.

He also recently picked up the Irish 'Try of the Year' award for his try against Bath in the Heineken Cup.