Tributes have flown in for Ulster and Ireland winger Andrew Trimble following his announcement on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the season.
Trimble played 229 games for Ulster and was capped 70 times over a 13-year career that started with Ulster in 2005.
The 33-year-old said that playing for Ulster and Ireland were some of the most fulfilling moments of his life and that his decision to retire from professional rugby was a tough choice to make.
https://twitter.com/andrew_trimble/status/992045211579756546
Former Ireland teammate Brian O'Driscoll led tributes for Trimble and commended him for the line in his letter to supporters that indicated that his two young children - Jack and Molly - could now rival him for pace over five metres.
https://twitter.com/BrianODriscoll/status/992062190244032517
https://twitter.com/John_Afoa/status/992047620297297920
https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/992048109978038279
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/992060401306173440
https://twitter.com/SarahSherry1/status/992056776462864385
https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/992048632240197632
Ulster Operations Director Bryn Cunningham said that Trimble can be justifiably proud of his career and that it's been fantastic to follow his journey to becoming the province's most capped player of all time.
"Andrew has been a class act both on and off the pitch," said Cunningham.
"He has been a great ambassador for Ulster Rugby, having done much to promote our work in the community and to inspire future generations of rugby players from across the nine counties.
"I was still playing here when Andrew first joined the squad and it's been fantastic to follow his journey to becoming the highest-capped Ulster player of all-time - a remarkable achievement! He has delivered some incredible performances in both the Ulster and Ireland jerseys over the years and he can be justifiably proud of his playing career.
"I know that Andrew will be successful in whatever career he chooses next, and I wish him, Anna, Jackand Molly well in this new chapter for them."
