THE CLAMOUR FOR Andrew Trimble’s inclusion to the Ireland squad has been acknowledged. The Ulster winger is one of four call-ups by head coach Joe Schmidt.
Trimble, who has been in fine form with Ulster this season, has been joined in the squad by provincial teammate Roger Wilson. Also called up are Munster lock Donncha O’Callaghan and promising Leinster prop Martin Moore.
Speaking to TheScore.ie before Ulster’s home win over Cardiff Blues, former Ireland hooker Shane Byrne sympathised with Trimble after he had been dropped from the initial 34-man squad and ‘cast into the international wilderness’. Trimble scored a second-half try in his team’s 39 — 21 win.
Ireland team manager Mick Kearney revealed that Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls will not train fully with the Ireland squad, at Carton House, this week. The Munster duo were both pulled for their team’s starting line-up before the Glasgow Warriors game on Friday.
Kearney said, “Keith is suffering from patella tendinitis and won’t train at all this week. He’ll be assessed when he comes into camp next Sunday. [Ulster prop] Declan Fitzpatrick has a calf strain and he won’t train today or tomorrow… Paul O’Connell has a grade one calf strain.”
Cian Healy [knee cartilage irritation] is another player to sit out training this week. Sean O’Brien [ankle] and Robbie Henshaw [hip flexor strain] did not train today with the squad but Brian O’Driscoll did. His participation will be some relief for Schmidt as he adjusts his training plans to cope with injuries to key players.
Kearney confirmed that there were no plans for O’Driscoll to line out for Leinster, against Newport Gwent Dragons, this weekend to give him game time after his calf strain struggles.
Ireland will stage an open training session at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday. Tickets are free but only available through Ticketmaster.ie.
- Audio courtesy of 98FM
