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Andrew Trimble. ©INPHO/Presseye/Darren Kidd
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Staying put: 'Excited' Trimble commits to Ulster until 2015

The international wing says he is looking forward to continue Ulster’s upward trajectory.

ULSTER AND IRELAND wing Andrew Trimble has committed himself to a new two-year central contract.

The 28-year-old, out of favour with Declan Kidney’s national side since the loss to South Africa in November, will now remain with the province until at least the summer of 2015.

Trimble, who made his Ulster debut in 2005, had been linked with a move to France when his contact expires this summer.

However, speaking to TheScore.ie this afternoon he said the move abroad was never a viable option for him this time.

“I’m delighted, really excited about what we’re doing with Ulster. We’ve come on a lot in the last couple of years and I think we’ll continue to come on. It’s a great place to be, it’s exciting, and I’m enjoying it.”

He added: “There were no realistic [club offers]. I think in my head I was looking forward… there’s a lot more I want to achieve here.

“If I had of left at this stage and next year went well (for Ulster] I’d just be devastated because it means so much to you.”

Trimble holds the Ulster record of 50 tries and is two touch-downs away from matching his own record of 10 tries in a single campaign. And it’s stats like that prompted his director of rugby David Humphreys to label him a “world class finisher’”.

Humphreys added: “Andrew has spent almost eight years at Ulster Rugby. This deal will take him to a decade at Ravenhill and that reflects both his remarkable consistency of performance and and his unwavering commitment to his province.”

Meanwhile, Mark Anscombe, closing in on the end of his first year with the northern province, said:

“I think he’s been one of our most outstanding players this year. He’s been consistent – I couldn’t be happier. I’m rapt he’s committed himself for another two years because I like working with him.”

The winger will make his 156th appearance for Ulster in Edinburgh this weekend, the first of a testing three-week period which will shape the outcome of Ulster’s season. Just as well, then, that Anscombe has been able to recall Nick Williams, Jared Payne and Johann Muller to the squad.

Paddy Jackson is also included, despite his exertions with Ireland, but Iain Henderson will miss out with a tendon problem in his foot picked up in Ireland’s 22-15 loss to Italy in Rome.

The young lock has undergone a scan on the problem and a potential return date will be pencilled in once the province’s medical team have assessed the issue.

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