A NEW SEASON naturally engenders fresh optimism but Andrew Trimble has urged his team-mates to let their performances on the pitch do the talking as Ulster look to end an 11-year trophy drought.
The Ireland winger is one of just three players in the current Ulster squad who have tasted success with the northern province and on the back of a bitterly disappointing campaign last year, Trimble knows the time has come for this group to deliver.
Les Kiss’ side not only finished bottom of their Champions Cup pool last season but a fifth-place finish in the Guinness Pro12 meant the club failed to qualify for any knock-out rugby for the first time since 2010.
“A lot of people are sick of hearing our intentions, our goals, our aspirations and we are sick of talking about it so everybody is looking forward to getting into the season, getting things going and fulfilling the potential we have,” Trimble said at the launch of Ulster’s new kit last week.
“Last year we didn’t get to the standard that we, as players, the press or the supporters demand of us because there is a lot of talent in this team. We didn’t get there so we want to stop talking about it and start achieving things.
“Any time we have started well we have gone on a good run and we have tended to maintain that. If we have to play catch-up at any stage, we put ourselves under pressure, we go into our shells and we tighten up.
“That brings out the worst in us. I think we express ourselves better and execute better whenever we get ourselves into position.”
Ulster’s preparations for the new campaign intensified last week with a friendly defeat to Wasps but the addition of Jono Gibbes, Dwayne Peel and Aaron Dundon to Kiss’ coaching staff has injected some new voices and methods into the set-up.
Furthermore, the arrival of Jean Deysel, Schalke van der Merwe, John Cooney and Australia out-half Christian Lealiifano has bolstered the playing resources ahead of the season opener against the Cheetahs.
“Jean (Deysel) and Schalke (van der Merwe) will add a massive amount of physicality,” Trimble continued. “It will be exciting to see these guys carry the ball and bring the experience they have elsewhere.
“I think they are excited to be here and be a part of it and I’m also excited to see John (Cooney) as well. There has been a lot of chat about Ruan [Pienaar] and it has been talked to death over the summer and for good reason, he set the standard through the roof for that nine jersey.
“Now there are four or five lads fighting it out and they know how good they have to be to get that jersey and John will add his name into the hat so it will be exciting to see what happens.”
On the coaching ticket and working with former Leinster coach Gibbes , he added: “Jono Gibbes sets very high standards and he’s very clear in his communications about what he requires.
“There is never any confusion, you know exactly what you have to achieve in a session. You know what is required in every role of phase play and set piece.
“It’s a good place to be. He has definitely cracked the whip and made sure we know what is fully expected of us and all the boys are buying into that. The level of detail is remarkable in terms of our phase play and what we are trying achieve there, the detail is a big thing.”
Not only was last year a frustrating one for Ulster but on a personal level for Trimble too as he endured a series of injury setbacks throughout, including a broken bone in his hand during the Six Nations.
All things going well, the 32-year-old will set a new record for Ulster appearances at some stage during the 2017/18 season and he says there is still plenty of life left in him ahead of a 12th campaign with the province.
“I want to get out there and be part of a few special nights at Kingspan Stadium, I think this a team that can do big things and I want to be a part of it,” he added.
“I think there is a long life in me and I can kick on and get to the form and standard I expect from myself. I just want to let my rugby do the talking.
“There is a lot of competition for places and a season like that can be pretty on forgiving so I have to keep myself fit and keep on top of things and make sure when I get out there I give a good reflection of myself.”
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