"I don't want to get distracted by this being my 200th game for Ulster. Sure, it means a lot to me, it means a lot to the team I'm sure, but it's far more important that we go out there on Saturday and perform as we have in recent games."
So, in typically modest mode, winger Andrew Trimble would rather talk about the challenge Munster poses in the Guinness PRO12 at Kingspan Stadium, which ushers in the New Year.
But he cannot entirely disguise the pride he feels in reaching such a landmark in a career that started in the white jersey 10 years ago in the inaugural Celtic League in Cardiff.
“I’ve had a great time playing for Ulster since I was a 20-year-old, and hopefully that will continue for a few years to come.
“Of course there’ve been ups and downs along the way, but it’s been a great time for me personally, and I’ve been fortunate to play with some wonderful players. And at the moment it’s particularly exciting within the present squad, with the mix of Ulster-born, foreign, experienced and younger players.”
The 31-year old is delighted with the turnaround in the side’s fortunes, and he feels there’s real momentum and confidence in the group after “four big performances, and all-of-a-sudden we have a big inter-provincial game we have to win.
“We’ve put ourselves under pressure, but it’s always easier to win when you have momentum, but it’s never easy to win against Munster, it’s a side that always turns up.”
But when pressed on his 200th appearance, the affable, eloquent Trimble says there have been opportunities to leave, but never anything that meant he had to make a big decision:
“For me there were one or two little opportunities, but nothing realistic, my decision had already been made. In a way I was held to ransom,” he laughs, “you feel that if you leave the boys are going to go out and win something the next year, which would be devastating! For me I want to be here when we win things.
“I’ve seen a big change in the 10 or 11 years I’ve been playing, going from a dusty gym at Newforge to the facilities we have here at the Kingspan, the players we’ve signed, the youngsters who are here.
“The standard is just through the roof, and it’s a fun environment. This is where I want to be. But there’s no point in having all these great facilities and the creativity of Neil Doak, or the defensive knowledge of Joe Barakat on the coaching team, unless we win something in the next year or two.
“We’ve reached European Cup and PRO12 finals, and we’ve always had excuses. But eventually you’ve got to stop making excuses and get across the line,” citing last season’s defeat by Glasgow as an example of playing superbly but a “few things at the end not going our way.”
Injury ruined his chances of playing in the World Cup in the autumn, but he is acutely aware that the Six Nations is just around the corner, and he’s intent on once again featuring in Joe Schmidt’s plans, though he doesn’t believe the national coach will focus on direct contests between him and, perhaps, Simon Zebo.
“Joe wants to see guys play well in European games, in the inter-pros, I’m not sure he buys into these head-to-heads. If you’re doing small things right, looking after little details and making sure you’re doing all the things he values, I don’t think he’ll be too concerned about head-to-heads,” he says.
“But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and if Ulster does well and I perform and contribute then hopefully I’ll get in the Irish set-up again and maybe add to my 58 appearances.
“But honestly, proud though I am to be playing for Ulster for the 200th time, it’ll only really count if we play as well as we have been, and keep the winning momentum going.”
And with an almost embarrassed smile he leaves to complete his training regime in wind and rain at Kingspan Stadium – preparing for what he knows may not be ideal conditions when Munster’s squad rolls into town.
He’s 200 not out, and in the injury-free mood to add hugely to that tally.
So, in typically modest mode, winger Andrew Trimble would rather talk about the challenge Munster poses in the Guinness PRO12 at Kingspan Stadium, which ushers in the New Year.
But he cannot entirely disguise the pride he feels in reaching such a landmark in a career that started in the white jersey 10 years ago in the inaugural Celtic League in Cardiff.
“I’ve had a great time playing for Ulster since I was a 20-year-old, and hopefully that will continue for a few years to come.
“Of course there’ve been ups and downs along the way, but it’s been a great time for me personally, and I’ve been fortunate to play with some wonderful players. And at the moment it’s particularly exciting within the present squad, with the mix of Ulster-born, foreign, experienced and younger players.”
The 31-year old is delighted with the turnaround in the side’s fortunes, and he feels there’s real momentum and confidence in the group after “four big performances, and all-of-a-sudden we have a big inter-provincial game we have to win.
“We’ve put ourselves under pressure, but it’s always easier to win when you have momentum, but it’s never easy to win against Munster, it’s a side that always turns up.”
But when pressed on his 200th appearance, the affable, eloquent Trimble says there have been opportunities to leave, but never anything that meant he had to make a big decision:
“For me there were one or two little opportunities, but nothing realistic, my decision had already been made. In a way I was held to ransom,” he laughs, “you feel that if you leave the boys are going to go out and win something the next year, which would be devastating! For me I want to be here when we win things.
“I’ve seen a big change in the 10 or 11 years I’ve been playing, going from a dusty gym at Newforge to the facilities we have here at the Kingspan, the players we’ve signed, the youngsters who are here.
“The standard is just through the roof, and it’s a fun environment. This is where I want to be. But there’s no point in having all these great facilities and the creativity of Neil Doak, or the defensive knowledge of Joe Barakat on the coaching team, unless we win something in the next year or two.
“We’ve reached European Cup and PRO12 finals, and we’ve always had excuses. But eventually you’ve got to stop making excuses and get across the line,” citing last season’s defeat by Glasgow as an example of playing superbly but a “few things at the end not going our way.”
Injury ruined his chances of playing in the World Cup in the autumn, but he is acutely aware that the Six Nations is just around the corner, and he’s intent on once again featuring in Joe Schmidt’s plans, though he doesn’t believe the national coach will focus on direct contests between him and, perhaps, Simon Zebo.
“Joe wants to see guys play well in European games, in the inter-pros, I’m not sure he buys into these head-to-heads. If you’re doing small things right, looking after little details and making sure you’re doing all the things he values, I don’t think he’ll be too concerned about head-to-heads,” he says.
“But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and if Ulster does well and I perform and contribute then hopefully I’ll get in the Irish set-up again and maybe add to my 58 appearances.
“But honestly, proud though I am to be playing for Ulster for the 200th time, it’ll only really count if we play as well as we have been, and keep the winning momentum going.”
And with an almost embarrassed smile he leaves to complete his training regime in wind and rain at Kingspan Stadium – preparing for what he knows may not be ideal conditions when Munster’s squad rolls into town.
He’s 200 not out, and in the injury-free mood to add hugely to that tally.