Andrew Trimble to France (rumour)

thomond2006

http://www.rugby-transferts.com/top-14/paris-stade-francais/0019646-une-star-irlandaise-vers-le-stade-francais.html

Rough Translation:
"After Jonny Sexton, who has signed for Racing Metro, another Irish star could join the Top14 next season.

Midi Olympique is reporting that the centre/wing Andrew Trimble (28 years old, 49 Ireland caps with 11 international tries scored) has visited the Stade Francais facilities. The Ulster player, who was left out of Ireland's squad for this year's Six Nations, could be on his way to Paris to replace Paul Sackey, who is out of contract."

If Trimble is out of contract, then it wouldn't surprise me if he did move. His Irish career for all intents and purposes is over with the emergence of Zebo and Gilroy plus there's probably better money available from Stade Francais. Moreover, his Ulster spot is far from guaranteed anymore. Stade are a bit of a sinking ship though, they've not played Heineken Cup rugby for a few seasons and have made little impact in the Top14 since the arrival of Toulon and Racing Metro along with the emergence of Montpellier as a genuine contender.

opinionatedfan

would be a good move for him, tough on Ulster though as he has been by far their best winger this season

awec

I'm not sure we could do without him.

sweetthing

All but over? Bit of an overstatement, and I bet a few people reckoned the same a few years ago. I wouldn't bet against a return to the fold someday, especially with a new coach hopefully coming into play soon.

In general, I'm all for players leaving for France or wherever. With only 3 teams functioning at a high level, it doesn't leave us enough players with exp. of rugby at a high level, which we are seeing the results of now, case in point our options at TH prop and OH

Sinbad_NI

He's been superb for Ulster all year. Would be a huge loss.

thomond2006

I hope he stays, Ulster are going to win silverware within the next three seasons IMO. He won't win anything with Stade.

phog

Saw this earlier on twitter, can see why he might be considering giving it a go, he'll be a loss to Ulster.

tolosenc

He's behind Bowe and Gilroy for Ulster, and add Fitzgerald and Zebo to that for a national call up. I can see why he might be considering it, but it'd be a huge loss for Ulster if he was to go.

Ballsy move if he goes for it.

Best of luck, owes nothing to Irish Rugby, great servant.

Form winger as we got to the RWC in 2011 and ignored. Seems to be in the Paddy Wallace-esque blindspot.

Risteard

tolosenc wrote: »

He's behind Bowe and Gilroy for Ulster, and add Fitzgerald and Zebo to that for a national call up. I can see why he might be considering it, but it'd be a huge loss for Ulster if he was to go.

Is he behind Gilroy though? When both were fit it was him and Bowe starting IIRC.

Ardillaun

Risteard wrote: »

Is he behind Gilroy though? When both were fit it was him and Bowe starting IIRC.

Fitzgerald was not great at he weekend. Some of Trimble's recent performances for Ulster have been as good as anything he's done.

totallegend

Tough one to call for him. Possibly the most consistent winger at provincial level for two years now but could find himself on the bench for Ulster if Gilroy continues to develop.

On the other hand, a new Irish coach might be a reason to stick around...

part time punk

Deleted User wrote: »

Form winger as we got to the RWC in 2011 and ignored. Seems to be in the Paddy Wallace-esque blindspot.

Not just the form winger then but the form player iirc

Teferi

part time punk wrote: »

Not just the form winger then but the form player iirc

SOB was still in the season of his life. I'd reckon it was him.

Trimble was disgracefully treated throughout the World Cup though. Definitely the form winger in the country at the time.

LeeroyJones

I wouldn't begrudge him a move at all.

As eluded to, with Gilroy & Bowe at Ulster he's fallen down the pecking order.

I actually had thought he could have been a useful signing for Leinster with Darcy & BOD aging and Conway & Carr on their bikes

totallegend

LeeroyJones wrote: »

I wouldn't begrudge him a move at all.

As eluded to, with Gilroy & Bowe at Ulster he's fallen down the pecking order.

I actually had thought he could have been a useful signing for Leinster with Darcy & BOD aging and Conway & Carr on their bikes

He has not fallen down the pecking order at Ulster. Trimble has started all six of Ulster's HEC games this season, the only games Gilroy has started have been the two matches in which Bowe was injured.

thomond2006

totallegend wrote: »

He has not fallen down the pecking order at Ulster. Trimble has started all six of Ulster's HEC games this season, the only games Gilroy has started have been the two matches in which Bowe was injured.

With Gilroy now an Irish starter, it will be interesting to see who are the starting Ulster wingers come the Quarter-Final.

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

With Gilroy now an Irish starter, it will be interesting to see who are the starting Ulster wingers come the Quarter-Final.

The whole team will be interesting.

Who plays second row (tuohy or stevenson?)
Who plays back row?
Who plays 12?
Who plays on the wing?

Players returning from injury will be key. Fingers crossed for Fez, he deserves to be involved in this team and if he is that pack could become unstoppable.

totallegend

thomond2006 wrote: »

With Gilroy now an Irish starter, it will be interesting to see who are the starting Ulster wingers come the Quarter-Final.

Yeah, likewise Luke Marshall who has yet to displace Paddy Wallace at Ulster as well.

On the basis of form this season, I'd have said that the contest is between Bowe and Gilroy, not Trimble and Gilroy. Trimble has been outstanding for Ulster and I don't think Gilroy's selection for Ireland changes that.

The big unknown is how much game time Bowe will have under his belt by the time the QF comes around. Ulster have Edinburgh away on 22nd March then Leinster away on 30th March, Bowe needs to play at least one of those.

siltirocker

What I think is mad surrounding all this is that he has arguably been the best player this year at Ulster, the best Irish team this year.

You think that would have a heavy contract thrown at him by the IRFU.

The other unreal players from Ulster this year in their renaissance have been Wallace and Court. Interestingly enough, all three of which have lost their Irish places. Two to players they have outshone consistently in their own province this year.

While I'm all for blooding youth, as Gatland would say "the best players (in rugby, that's more often than not the form player) should play whether he's 40 or 14".

pickarooney

Court, Wallace and Trimble have simply never impressed in the few chances they've had for Ireland. It takes a special performance to oust an incumbent and none of them have ever given that, AFAICR. That's not to say the regulars give A1 showings every time they're picked but the fring players just have to take their chances when they get them.

edit: just checked, Trimble has only two fewer caps than Bowe and 11 tries. Not too shabby, I suppose.

the_doctor199

totallegend wrote: »

The big unknown is how much game time Bowe will have under his belt by the time the QF comes around. Ulster have Edinburgh away on 22nd March then Leinster away on 30th March, Bowe needs to play at least one of those.

Bowe has already said he won't be back for the QF, it'll be May before we see him.

thomond2006

pickarooney wrote: »

Court, Wallace and Trimble have simply never impressed in the few chances they've had for Ireland. It takes a special performance to oust an incumbent and none of them have ever given that, AFAICR. That's not to say the regulars give A1 showings every time they're picked but the fring players just have to take their chances when they get them.

edit: just checked, Trimble has only two fewer caps than Bowe and 11 tries. Not too shabby, I suppose.

Trimble was the form player in the RWC warmups.

pickarooney

pickarooney wrote: »

Court, Wallace and Trimble have simply never impressed in the few chances they've had for Ireland. It takes a special performance to oust an incumbent and none of them have ever given that, AFAICR. That's not to say the regulars give A1 showings every time they're picked but the fring players just have to take their chances when they get them.

edit: just checked, Trimble has only two fewer caps than Bowe and 11 tries. Not too shabby, I suppose.

horrendous logic to be honest.

It's logic like that that has ROG benching for Ireland, and no gametime for any of Jackson Madigan or Keatley until 2 days ago.

Palinpropism

I'd wonder if this has something to do with irfu maybe hinting to him that he won't get a central contract as they try to pear down the number recently with Fitz etc losing out on one. This had a big affect on fitz's salary and might be same for Trimble making it more sense to go to France as he is entering his prime contract years? Anyone know?

LeeroyJones

totallegend wrote: »

He has not fallen down the pecking order at Ulster. Trimble has started all six of Ulster's HEC games this season, the only games Gilroy has started have been the two matches in which Bowe was injured.

Im referring to coming seasons. He'll certainly have plenty to play for this season both in the Pro12 and HCup.
However, next season I definitely be behind Bowe and Gilroy now that Gilroy has had experience at the top IMO.

buck65

The more players going abroad the better for Ireland, we are well stocked in quality wingers, I would not begrudge Trimble going away for 2 years the IRFU are treating him badly , Kidney won't pick him = good move.
We need to get rid of some players, Munster the same, how many second rows are rotting on the bench there and Leinster have to pay top dollar for mercenaries such as the disgraceful acquiring of Thorne last year.
Watch Madigan flourish next year, suddenly we have more options.

sock puppet

sweetthing wrote: »

All but over? Bit of an overstatement, and I bet a few people reckoned the same a few years ago. I wouldn't bet against a return to the fold someday, especially with a new coach hopefully coming into play soon.

He'll be 29 by the time a new coach comes in, so even if he were picked it wouldn't be for that much longer.

Ardillaun

Given the attrition rate these days, I wouldn't write the obit on Trimble's international career just yet. He has limitations vision-wise but he's a solid player. France might improve him. If it ever happens. BTW I wouldn't begrudge ANY professional player making as much as he can while he can.

Fez101

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Im referring to coming seasons. He'll certainly have plenty to play for this season both in the Pro12 and HCup.
However, next season I definitely be behind Bowe and Gilroy now that Gilroy has had experience at the top IMO.

Not sure I entirely agree, Bowe was hardly in scintillating form before his injury, if all 3 were fit I'd say it is Bowe who'd lose out. That said on top form Bowe shades it. Hope Trimble stays, but I do not blame him in the least, he's not been treated well by Ireland and deserves and good pay day while he's in his prime.

shuffol

Deleted User wrote: »

horrendous logic to be honest.

It's logic like that that has ROG benching for Ireland, and no gametime for any of Jackson Madigan or Keatley until 2 days ago.

Horrendous but true, new caps are scrutinized to the last and average performances highlighted, established players can go through entire seasons of mediocrity with little call for them to be axed. Look at SOB against Samoa in 2010, was solid, didnt set the world alight and the consensus was he blew his chance. Similiarly Tuohy last summer. Certain other players also fall into this bracket, notably Trimble, Court and Wallace.

Coburger

buck65 wrote: »

The more players going abroad the better for Ireland, we are well stocked in quality wingers, I would not begrudge Trimble going away for 2 years the IRFU are treating him badly , Kidney won't pick him = good move.

There is a sound logic in this but one in which the IRFU probably don't go along with. Maybe they fear too many big names going abroad which may have a detrimental effect on the provinces (attendances and overall win lose ratio). But by (more or less) only choosing players for Ireland who play the game in Ireland they are just making things more difficult to develop the team.

Hopefully Leinster will go along with Madigan and make him first choice 10 for next season and not bring someone in.

irishbucsfan

buck65 wrote: »

The more players going abroad the better for Ireland

Oh god, not at all!

damianmcr

Heard he will sign a 2yr deal with Ulster.

The Pheasant

Never liked Trimble...they can have him as far as I'm concerned

the_doctor199

The Pheasant wrote: »

Never liked Trimble...they can have him as far as I'm concerned

Care to expand? On the pitch he's an excellent winger, off it you couldn't have a much nicer fellow.

For Paws

Don't think he'll go.
Heard he's preparing for a career in the C of I clergy, so don't think Paris would suit.

Hope he doesn't. The guy has always been a class act. No sprinter, but good step, strength and always looks to stay in play and/or offload. Could step in the team vs France and put in the required.

jacothelad

The Pheasant wrote: »

Never liked Trimble...they can have him as far as I'm concerned

Well, he speaks very highly of you.

19543261

he's an animal lover

jacothelad

19543261 wrote: »

he's an animal lover

No. Andrew is a pleasant fu Pheasant plucker.

thomond2006

BBC reporting that Trimble will sign on with Ulster, on a two-year contract.

ionadnapokot

good to hear.

Riskymove

thomond2006 wrote: »

BBC reporting that Trimble will sign on with Ulster, on a two-year contract.

however, they are reporting that ferris may be on his way

ed7890

thomond2006 wrote: »

Trimble was the form player in the RWC warmups.

I know this is sacrilege to suggest on here, but I think his form going into the RWC is overstated. He was good and industrious, like he always is, but he wasn't playing that good. I only remember him having 1 line break in those games, and it didn't come to anything.

It seems to me like one of those things that keeps getting repeated, and his form at the time gets better every time it's repeated.

clsmooth

Riskymove wrote: »

however, they are reporting that ferris may be on his way

Ferris is pretty much finished unfortunately

clsmooth

ed7890 wrote: »

I know this is sacrilege to suggest on here, but I think his form going into the RWC is overstated. He was good and industrious, like he always is, but he wasn't playing that good. I only remember him having 1 line break in those games, and it didn't come to anything.

It seems to me like one of those things that keeps getting repeated, and his form at the time gets better every time it's repeated.

His form was better than Earls and Bowe. He looked very sharp in the warm ups and created a try in one of the group games with a lovely break. He should have started on the left.

Zzippy

Ferris to Japan? Not happy with IRFU offer...

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/japan-bound-ferris-set-to-leave-ulster-1.1324280

ed7890

ed7890 wrote: »

I know this is sacrilege to suggest on here, but I think his form going into the RWC is overstated. He was good and industrious, like he always is, but he wasn't playing that good. I only remember him having 1 line break in those games, and it didn't come to anything.

It seems to me like one of those things that keeps getting repeated, and his form at the time gets better every time it's repeated.

I remember him being an absolute weapon for the gameplan that we chose, which was the kick & chase.

I remember him steamrolling defenders and forcing errors left right and centre under Garryowens and box kicks alike.

I can't recall anyone bar McFadden's performance last week being anywhere near similar quality and industry in backing up our kickers on a regular basis for a tactic that we used without abandon for games pre and in the World Cup.

Teferi

clsmooth wrote: »

Ferris is pretty much finished unfortunately

Is this just your opinion or have you heard rumours on the grapevine?

Wouldn't be surprised tbh, his body can't take too many more years.

justsomebloke

Zzippy wrote: »

Ferris to Japan? Not happy with IRFU offer...

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/japan-bound-ferris-set-to-leave-ulster-1.1324280

If he himself is considering going to Japan, he knows himself that his body can't take the hits any more so I don't know why he would be complaining about the IRFU giving him a reduced contract

ScissorPaperRock

justsomebloke wrote: »

If he himself is considering going to Japan, he knows himself that his body can't take the hits any more so I don't know why he would be complaining about the IRFU giving him a reduced contract

If he believes that he does have limited time left then it would make sense to try and get as much money out of what remains of his career as possible