Trimble to retire at the end of this season

Ireland and Ulster wing Andrew Trimble has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

The 33- year-old won 70 Ireland caps between 2005 and 2017, helping Joe Schmidt’ s men claim the 2014 Six Nations title.

Trimble, who made a record 229 appearances for Ulster, also featured when Ireland claimed their maiden win over New Zealand, the world champions beaten 40- 29 in Chicago in November 2016.

In an open letter publi shed by Ulster and the Irish Rugby Football Union, Trimble called time on a sparkling career that included 17 Test tries.

“I know that I’ ve been incredibly fortunate to have realised not one of my dreams, butt woof them–to play for Ulster and to play for Ireland ,” said Trimble.

“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 – 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 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 no thing will come close to the experience of taking the field and hearing you raise your voice sin support of the team. You stood up for me. I only hope that I stood up for you.”

Ulster’s operations director Bryn Cunningham said Trimble should be proud of his lengthy top-level career. “Andrew has been a class act both on and off the pitch,” said Cunningham. “He has been a great ambassador for Ulster Rugby, having done much to promote our work in the community and to inspire future generations of rugby players from across the nine counties.”