TRIMBLE: ULSTER KEEPING ME SANE

ANDREW TRIMBLE says playing well for Ulster is the best way to get over missing out on World Cup selection. Ireland’s 2014 Player Of The Year returned to action last month from almost a year out with injury and impressed in the warm-up win over Wales in Cardiff but, after picking up another knock, missed out on Ireland’s 31-man World Cup squad due to lack of game time. The winger received a massive ovation from the home supporters in Ulster’s victory over Ospreys in Ravenhill last Friday and said it gave him a valuable lift during a difficult time in his career. ‘Playing for Ulster means the world to me,’ said Trimble (below). ‘To get that much support means a lot. After every low there has been a high in my career, I have gotten used to it. ‘The key is not to get too excited by good news and not too down about bad news.’ Meanwhile, Ireland say scrumhalf Conor Murray is progressing through the return to play protocols after suffering a concussion in the warm-up loss to England at Twickenham at the weekend. Full-back Rob Kearney, who did not feature against England due to a bruised knee is doing moderated training for the first part of this week while Johnny Sexton and Simon Zebo are showing no o ill effects fromm the cramp they y suffered last ast Saturday and trained yesterday. The defeat by England saw Ireland drop to sixth place in the world rankings having achieved their highest ever ranking ng of second after the win over Wales s at the start of f last month.