The Irish Independent's David Kelly talks to Ireland winger Andrew Trimble.
"Unfairly, and a bit like [his province] Ulster, it has rarely seemed like Trimble fully belonged. All this despite making his Ireland debut against Australia a mere eight games into his senior career; despite his 41 caps and his 27 years; despite tries in France, New Zealand and against South Africa and despite a role in the centre.
"When Ireland's established fliers have been fit, from Horgan and Hickie through to Earls and Fitzgerald, Trimble has remained in the wings, not on them. He has made a World Cup when Tommy Bowe didn't, deputised for Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll several times when others couldn't.
"But when Ireland's Grand Slam moment arrived, Trimble watched frustratedly from the sidelines. Once more, it seems, he will start for Ireland, against Wales in the Six Nations opener, but only because of another's absence, as O'Driscoll's injury forces one of the back three (presumably Earls) inside.
"I want to start, that will never change," he says. "I'm aware of how competitive it is. I can't control how other guys are playing or how the team is selected. All I can do is play well. It's a fairly simple approach for me. I'm confident in how I'm playing, I'm really pleased, but I don't want to second-guess anyone and get my hopes up."
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