Irish flyer Andrew Trimble is desperate to grab a starting slot in Ireland’s strongest XV ahead of the World Cup knockout stages but the 26-year-old insists it will be no easy task.
The Ulsterman has seen his left-wing jersey handed to Keith Earls despite starting every single one of Ireland’s four warm-up encounters.
Those four preparation games all ended in defeat for Declan Kidney’s men but their turnaround since the World Cup proper began has been nothing short of spectacular.
Trimble did start in Ireland’s 62-12 shellacking of Russia last time out but with Rob Kearney newly reinstated at full-back it is hard to see how the 39-cap man can force his way back in.
“I feel fresh, fast and powerful. I want to show that. I’m very confident in my own ability and what I can do on the pitch,” he said.
“I have to prove that and the only way to do that is to get my hands on the ball as much as possible.
“I’ve got to make life difficult for (coach) Declan Kidney and see what happens. Declan knows I’m not happy being on the bench. I don’t want to be someone who gets five or 10 minutes at the end of a game.
“If I picked the team I’d pick me, but all I can do is play as well as I can. I’ve been frustrated not to have been more involved in the World Cup so far.
“I was really disappointed given the way things went last month not to be involved and get a start.”
But despite his own frustrations Trimble is happy to concede that competition for places is the key to Ireland’s current success.
“This is the way Declan wants it and having that competition for places is what’s best for the squad,” he added. “As much as I was devastated, you have to be genuine and wish all the guys to do the best. You want to see them do well.
“There’s a great buzz in the Irish camp at the moment and that’s because we have that camaraderie. But whenever I’m on the pitch I’ll do everything possible to make sure that place is mine.”
