Trimble honoured to claim top award

Trimble, who has been ruled out of this month's autumn internationals after suffering ligament damage in his toe, has four tries in just six GUINNESS PRO12 appearances this season.

Only Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb has more in the league this season, while in the last 12 months Trimble has four tries in seven games for Ireland.

His injury forced the 30-year-old to watch on as Joe Schmidt's men beat South Africa on Saturday, with fellow Ulster winger Tommy Bowe crossing over for a try.

And he is hoping to return sooner rather than later, not only to represent his country but also to help Ulster to a first domestic title since 2006.

"It's a huge honour for me to receive the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year Award," he said.

"It's always nice picking up an individual award like this, but I have to put it down to being part of such a successful Ireland team last season.

"It's unfortunate to be injured at the moment, but watching the team play as well as they did against South Africa at the weekend makes me even more determined to get back on the pitch as soon as I can."

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