Last-minute bonus point: Denis Hurley

CIAN HEALY is explaining the concept of Zorbing -- which appears to involve climbing into a giant plastic ball and rolling down steep hills. It is one of the many adrenalin-driven adventure activities available on this trip, which are all very much to the liking of Ireland's young loose-head.

Andrew Trimble listens nearby and smiles at the impetuosity of youth. Zorbing wouldn't really be Trimble's thing. When he was in Rotorua, the winger used his downtime to take a drive in the country with Ulster and Ireland team-mate Isaac Boss and, since relocating to Brisbane on Australia's eastern coastline, Trimble has been taking in the sights of this pleasant city.

"Ach, there's lots to do in Brisbane, plenty to see, and the weather is good, so it's nice to go out for a dander," says Trimble.

Dander?

"Oh sorry, it means to take a walk."

This is not to portray Trimble as some kind of old fogey, far from it, after all he is still only 25. However, while Healy bounces around full of energy and wide-eyed enthusiasm on his first senior tour, Trimble carries a far more serene air. This undoubtedly can be linked to the winger's spirituality and commitment to Christianity and, in this regard, Trimble was particularly intrigued by the Maori people the Ireland squad encountered in New Plymouth and Rotorua.

"They are a fascinating people and a fascinating culture," he enthuses. "I really enjoyed the Maori welcome we got although I didn't know what to make of it at first. Guys with sticks running around topless, screaming random words and almost hitting Drico with a spear, and this is their welcome?

"But then we went into their ceremony and a guy spoke to us for a while and it was obvious there was a real story behind it all. I don't know a lot about Maori culture but I would be interested to know when Christianity came into it because they sang a hymn 'How Great Thou Art' in Maori and I recognised the tune and then they prayed afterwards and it sounded like a Christian prayer -- I'm definitely going to read up on it."

As a Christian, Trimble is aware of the power of faith and, when we chatted in October, he spoke of his strong belief that he could resurrect his international career, which had been dormant since Eddie O'Sullivan's last game in charge -- the defeat to England at Twickenham in 2008.

Having just emerged from a two-year battle with knee and groin injuries, Trimble was determined to use this season to re-establish himself as an international force. Injuries to left-wing rivals Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls certainly helped but Trimble, who started against Fiji last November and Italy in the Six Nations, has had a strong return to form and, when he got another opportunity against the All Blacks two weekends ago, he took it splendidly.

Although it was a grim night in New Plymouth with a 14-man Ireland ruthlessly dismembered by their hosts, Trimble was electric in everything he did and was only denied the try his performance deserved by the dubious intervention of the TMO.

And yet, it emerged afterwards that he very nearly did not start that game as injury woes came back to haunt him. "Honestly, up until 10 minutes before the game I wasn't sure what was going to happen," he said. "It was a groin injury I must have picked up against the Barbarians the week before but it was nothing, I've had groin injuries in the past. It was just tightness and I tried to train through it but it didn't work.

"Most of the week I was preparing myself for a disappointment and then (physio) Cameron Steele strapped it up so that I could hardly move, anything near the groin, I don't know what he did but it came through really well. Now, it's completely gone, I feel perfect."

Always known for his powerful, direct running, Trimble showed footwork and handling skills against the All Blacks that were a level above what we could recall previously, but he puts it down more to work done in the gym than any dramatic discovery of hitherto hidden abilities.

"Yeah, it's been said to me since the All Blacks game but I don't know, it feels like people have forgotten that I used to be okay before, you know? I think I had decent footwork coming through a few years ago but I was a bit small, the difference maybe now is that I have the same sort of footwork but maybe with a bit more leg drive so maybe it looks more effective.

"When I was injured, I was able to work hard on my power and my skills. It's just been that long since I really felt confident with ball in hand. I feel very confident. It's no coincidence the guys that are doing big weights are the guys who are breaking the gain-line."

Trimble was one of the lock-down certainties to start against Australia, when he will win his 29th cap, and has a two-fold mission going into Saturday's match, the first being to earn some respect as a team.

"I don't know that they really do (respect us) in the southern hemisphere," he agrees. "But that result against New Zealand proved that they don't need to. Jerome Kaino was doing a press conference a couple of days before the game and he couldn't remember the names of the back-row.

"We mentioned that and perhaps it could be interpreted as disrespect but, at the same time they came out then and blew us away so they backed it up. We proved nothing. It's up to us to get that scalp in the southern hemisphere and earn that respect."

The second mission for Trimble is to produce a performance that firmly re-establishes him in the Ireland backline.

involved

"I didn't get involved as much as I would have liked in the autumn and when the Six Nations came around against Italy I was playing well, picked up a little knock and then didn't get picked the next week -- it wasn't the injury, I just didn't get picked. But there's no point crying about it, if you get an opportunity you make it impossible to be dropped and that's what I want to do this time around, don't let any more opportunities slip by."

The last week of a summer tour is traditionally the toughest mentally. Thoughts naturally turn to holidays and rest (Trimble is heading to Madagascar for a week, followed by a fortnight in Spain) but there is a determination within the squad to end a gruelling season on a high note.

"We have a lot to prove. We'll be looking to play with a bit of pace and width and our fitness levels are pretty high so hopefully we'll come through. We're trying hard to keep the distractions to a minimum, we've one more shot before the end of the season and we will work hard and our holidays would be a lot sweeter if we get the win."

With all the difficulties that have beset this Ireland tour, it would be easy to see it as something of a Zorbing experience -- a wild career downhill with no control over direction or velocity. But that is to ignore the positives that have come out of this trip, primarily the development of fringe players and a more expansive game plan. Trimble is another positive and while the last two years did constitute a slide for the Ulster man, his latest dander is taking him in the right direction. Back towards the top.

- in Brisbane

Irish Independent

We are a great little nation at buying into extremes. At any given moment, we are either the very best or the very worst with little room to operate anywhere in between.

Last Saturday at the RDS, Munster were beaten more convincingly than the 16-6 scoreline suggests. Leinster were outstanding in completing a fourth competitive victory in a row over their great rivals.

That the balance of power has shifted is beyond dispute. Aside from winning, the fact that they held Munster try-less in each of those four games will have pleased Michael Cheika, his players and backroom staff no end. And, irrespective of the outcome in the final against the Ospreys, Cheika will leave some legacy before departing for France.

The best any coach can do with a squad is to leave it in better nick than he found it. Cheika has not alone done that but, in his time in charge, he has inculcated a winning culture built on a dog-tough mental and physical edge. They have assumed the Munster mantle but that does not by any means equal the end of the southern province as a European and Celtic League power ... Far from it.

They lost a match (and with it a title) but losing two semi-finals does not make for a system in decline. The structures are too good for that. So bígí cúramach when writing the obituaries. A Munster team with Jerry Flannery, Paul O'Connell, Denis Leamy and David Wallace in situ is a very different competitive animal entirely. If I did have one wish for change, however, it would be to see Munster handle constructive and objective comment with much greater dignity.

Blinded

In blazing the trail for Irish rugby, some within the organisation have become blinded by that success. They do the province no favours by believing them to be immune from informed analysis. Put simply, Munster don't do criticism well. By contrast, Leinster have taken all the 'ladyboy' jibes etc and channeled that criticism into the area of only meaningful response -- on-field performance.

On Saturday, they were magnificent. I don't think it's stretching it to suggest they won almost every battle. Pick a combined side in the aftermath and there might be some room for discussion on the wing (Lifeimi Mafi), perhaps one centre (Keith Earls) and, as ever, outside-half. Beyond that, Leinster dominated. The platform was laid up front but the Leinster back row, particularly Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip, were immense.

I suspect Wallace will work his way back Down Under but don't rule out a Kevin McLaughlin/Jennings/Heaslip back row lining out in at least one of the June matches. Heaslip took the individual gong by a mile but was joined in the leadership stakes by Jennings and the ultra-consistent Brian O'Driscoll. Leadership is about deeds not words but, most of all, it is about visibility when momentum is flowing the other way.

Heaslip's barnstorming second-half runs -- stretching Earls to the limit and almost poleaxing the brave Ronan O'Gara -- made for the icing but the real leadership is the hard yards and momentum gained in defence allied to the tackle count and groundhog turnovers at the breakdown. Here Heaslip was sublime. He is without doubt the Irish skipper in waiting and already in my view the most complete No 8 forward to wear green.

Whenever asked over the years to select my best ever Irish back row, it tripped off the tongue -- John O'Driscoll, Fergus Slattery and Willie Duggan. The chemistry and balance between the three was so good. But when a player comes along with the athleticism of Ken Goodall, the intellect of Anthony Foley, the dynamism of Victor Costello but, most of all, the Lion-heart bravery in adversity of Duggan, then the call in the middle of the all-time Irish back row becomes a no-brainer. There is an honesty and maturity to Heaslip's game that makes him a certain future Irish captain.

If ever a game defined his readiness to lead, this was it. In his team's times of crisis, it was the Leinster No 8 who controlled things with Jennings and O'Driscoll pretty close behind. Mention, too, of Rob Kearney. Uncertainty over full-back selection -- shared with Girvan Dempsey and Isa Nacewa -- has hindered his progress since last summer's Lions tour but signs are of another leader in the making.

As with the Flower of Scotland, the Munster army has been sent home to think again. Of that you can be sure they will. It is NOT the end of an era but a moment of transition.

And I for one do not believe the signing of Jean de Villiers has been a hit. His route-one style, while creating some important tries, has hindered the Munster backline development more than it helped. However, Mafi and Earls have much to offer as a potent midfield force.

Indeed, on the subject of innovation, I doubt you will see a finer creative try than that engineered by Gordon D'Arcy, Jonathan Sexton and O'Driscoll (by way of subtle obstruction) for Saturday's match-defining score. Alan Gaffney take a bow. All told, it made for one of the games of the season.

• Word has reached us that the Westmeath town of Moate will field its first adult rugby team next season. Since its formation six years ago, Midland Warriors RFC has tapped into rugby's growing popularity by fielding underage teams. Now the first batch of young Brian O'Driscoll wannabes are coming to adulthood, and the club will compete in Leinster J3 for the 2010/11 season under head coach Jude Lennon. Interested parties can contact Graham Ross (087-9290196), John Seery (086-1016042), Hugh Flynn (086-2522313) or midlandwarriorsrfc@gmail.com.

- Tony Ward

Irish Independent

Out of reach: Marcus Horan

Marcus Horan offered a passionate defence of Irish rugby following a trio of sobering results in Europe.

Munster, Leinster and Connacht fell to French opposition over the weekend with the Top 14 supplying three of the finalists in the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups.

In a bruising pair of semi-finals, Leinster were convincingly dispatched by Toulouse while an unspectacular Biarritz ground out victory over Munster.

The lack of Irish representation in the Heineken Cup final for the first time in three years comes two months after the national team surrendered their Grand Slam to a vastly superior France.

But Horan, the Ireland and Munster prop, denies the nation's fortunes are on the slide.

"What can you read into these results when the draws were so tough with both Munster and Leinster coming to France?" he said.

"We both acquitted ourselves really well and both teams can be very proud of what they did.

"It was always going to be a tough test for us. After a quarter-final at home we knew we'd have to go to France twice and win both times if we were to win the competition.

"That would be a huge test for any team but to say that it means Irish rugby is on the way down is unfair."

Munster's defeat was the most dispiriting as it appeared to confirm suspicions that they are a fading force in Europe.

A day after a patched-up Leinster had been predictably outgunned by favourites Toulouse, they were overpowered 18-7 by a Biarritz side that finished a lowly seventh in the Top 14.

Yet Horan is surprised that Munster's obituary is being written and insists the 2006 and 2008 champions will be spurred on by the negativity.

"We've been written off before and it drives us. It's amazing how one game can turn things around," said the 32-year-old.

"There's a lot of fight left in the guys and these kind of defeats can only make the fellas stronger.

"This has happened to us before. We've had 10 years of it but still came back so I can't see why we can't come back from it again."

Munster's pedigree in Europe is second only to three-times champions Toulouse and they have been perennial contenders in the competition over the last decade.

Inevitably age has caught up with them and the main concern is that too many players are the wrong side of 30.

Established Ireland internationals Keith Earls and Tomas O'Leary have provided an injection of youth, but otherwise Munster's proud veterans now look a little too grizzled.

Critics claim the team urgently requires overhauling, but Horan insists they remain as ambitious as ever.

"Well, we are ageing. We're all getting older but a lot of us are playing some great rugby at the moment," he said.

"There's still great drive. There's a great mix of young players as well. It's always important to have a mix like that.

"No matter what team you are, as the years go on people will always say that you're getting too old. It's an excuse that people will use.

"But the drive is definitely there. Guys are keen and it still means so much to them."

Full-back Paul Warwick believes Munster will continue to challenge for European honours next season.

"This team definitely still has it in them - we are not a fading force," he said.

"There's huge desire and ambition and that will never be questioned with the talent we have in the dressing room."

Previous winners dominate the top category and amongst the favourites to land the coveted Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year are Tommy Bowe of the Ospreys, who won the title in 2008, Leinster’s No 8 Jamie Heaslip, winner of the Try of the Year Award last year and Munster’s Keith Earls.

Niall Woods, Chief Executive of IRUPA said, “Winning an award voted for by players who you play and compete against is the best tribute for any rugby player. These awards celebrate not only those players but also raise much needed monies for the IRUPA Injured Players Fund.”

Among the five other awards is the IRUPA Nature Valley Young Player of the Year Award, contested this year by a feast of talented players including Scott Deasy and Keith Earls of Munster who face stiff competition from Connacht’s Fionn Carr who is also nominated in the IRUPA Volkswagen Try of the Year category for his try against Leinster in the Magner’s League.

David Bunworth, MD, Bord Gáis Energy said, “It’s been another wonderful year for Irish rugby and Bord Gáis Energy is delighted to be supporting the IRUPA Rugby Awards once again. These are the only awards that allow rugby players to be acknowledged by their peers, which is perhaps the most meaningful kind of recognition a player can get. IRUPA is a terrific organisation and it’s a tribute to its work that so many players get behind these annual awards and give their support to the IRUPA Injured Players Fund.”

Following its success last year, rugby fans across Ireland can again vote for their Supporters Player of the Year 2010, only on Newstalk106-108fm. The award will be presented to the winning player at the Bord Gáis Energy Awards. Tune in Newstalk106-108fm from Monday April 26th to vote and to be in with a chance to win a year’s supply of Bord Gáis Electricity and also attend the event at the Burlington on Wednesday, 12th of May.

As a one off additional accolade, IRUPA and O2 will announce the O2 Team of the Decade which reflects on 10 glorious years of Irish rugby. The 15 members of the team will represent the best of Irish rugby over the last decade and as with the other awards is nominated by the players themselves. The O2 team of the decade will be announced at the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Awards.

BORD GÁIS ENERGY IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010

Tommy Bowe Ospreys
Keith Earls Munster
Jamie Heaslip Leinster

IRUPA NOKIA UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR 2010

John Fogarty Leinster
Chris Henry Ulster
Michael Swift Connacht

IRUPA NATURE VALLEY YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010

Fionn Carr Connacht
Scott Deasy Munster
Keith Earls Munster

IRUPA VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2010

Fionn Carr Leinster v Connacht, Magner’s League
Brian O’Driscoll Leinster v Brive, Heineken Cup
Andrew Trimble Bath v Ulster, Heineken Cup

BORD GÁIS ENERGY IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2010

Recipient announced on Wednesday 5th May

O2 IRUPA TEAM OF THE DECADE 2000-2010

Team announced at the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 12th May 2010

BORD GÁIS ENERGY SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Supporters’ Player of the Year as voted by listeners of Newstalk106-108fm will be announced at the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Awards on Wednesday 12th May 2010.

These are the only awards voted for by the players themselves and votes are cast from across all four provinces.

Previous winners dominate the top category and amongst the favourites to land the coveted Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Players' Player of the Year award are Tommy Bowe of the Ospreys, who won the title in 2008, Leinster number 8 Jamie Heaslip, winner of the Try of the Year Award last year, and Munster's Keith Earls. 

Niall Woods, Chief Executive of IRUPA, said: "Winning an award voted for by players who you play and compete against is the best tribute for any rugby player.

"These awards celebrate not only those players but also raise much needed monies for the IRUPA Injured Players Fund."

Among the five other awards is the IRUPA Nature Valley Young Player of the Year award, contested this year by a feast of talented players including Scott Deasy and Keith Earls of Munster who face stiff competition from Connacht's Fionn Carr.

Carr has also been nominated in the IRUPA Volkswagen Try of the Year category for one of his tries against Leinster in the Magners League.

David Bunworth, MD of Bord Gáis Energy, said: "It's been another wonderful year for Irish rugby and Bord Gáis Energy is delighted to be supporting the IRUPA Rugby Awards once again.

"These are the only awards that allow rugby players to be acknowledged by their peers, which is perhaps the most meaningful kind of recognition a player can get.

"IRUPA is a terrific organisation and it's a tribute to its work that so many players get behind these annual awards and give their support to the IRUPA Injured Players Fund."

Following its success last year, rugby fans across Ireland can again vote for their Supporters' Player of the Year, only on Newstalk 106-108FM. The award will be presented to the winning player at the Bord Gáis Energy Awards.

Tune in to Newstalk 106-108FM from Monday, April 26 to vote and to be in with a chance to win a year's supply of Bord Gáis Electricity and also attend the event at the Burlington on Wednesday, May 12.

As a one-off additional accolade, IRUPA and O2 will announce the O2 Team of the Decade which reflects on 10 glorious years of Irish rugby.

The 15 members of the team will represent the best of Irish rugby over the last decade and as with the other awards, is nominated by the players themselves.

The O2 Team of the Decade will be announced at the awards night.