Trimble set to return

Ulster winger Andrew Trimble insists his injury troubles are a thing of the past after being tipped to start for Ireland in their opening Six Nations match against Italy.

The 25-year-old missed much of last term with a knee injury but served a reminder of his talents with a stunning Heineken Cup try against Bath two weeks ago.

And after catching the eye of Ireland boss Declan Kidney, Trimble, who has bagged 40 points in 25 international starts, is set to start ahead of Keith Earls and Shane Horgan.

“I think this year has been hard work. It was a long pre-season with the operation and the ten weeks off my feet and getting back into it,” said Trimble, who appeared as a replacement against Fiji in November having not represented the senior side since 2008.

“I enjoyed working hard and then when the games started I tried to get myself more momentum as Ulster did as well.

“I have been really enjoying my rugby over the last while.

“Especially the last couple of games in the Heineken Cup. I am feeling fit and feeling fast, getting more and more confidence with every game I have played this year for Ulster.

“Now there is a bigger challenge ahead. The Six Nations is the next target, there are opportunities there.

“But there are also a lot of guys playing really well at the minute too. I am not the only one who is playing reasonably well.

“Shane Horgan, Keith Earls and Tommy Bowe are all playing well. A lot of guys are doing great stuff. So it will be a case of wait and see what happens.”

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Bradley tips front-row pair to feature in the RBS 6 Nations

Ireland A coach Michael Bradley has underlined the importance of front-rowers Marcus Horan and Rory Best ahead of the Six Nations.

Both started Sunday’s Ireland A’s 13-17 defeat to England Saxons, although Best was taken off midway through as a precaution.

And although the opening fixture against Italy may come too soon for the pair, Bradley has backed the duo to play an integral part for the Ireland in their Grand Slam defence.

He said: “It's very important for Irish rugby that both Rory and Marcus are available for Declan and the Six Nations.

“They are not quite there yet and may not be considered for the Italy game, but there are four mighty games after that and the more games they get, the better it is for Irish rugby.”

Bradley also believes Paddy Wallace – who featured started at fly-half – is in the line to get the nod to play centre, ahead of in-form Gordon D'Arcy.

He said: “Paddy went well at 10 although he hasn't played much rugby in that position recently.

“He is a player who has been involved all the time with Ireland and he doesn't even need to force his way back in. He's already there.

“He would have to be omitted. It's up to other players like Gordon or Jonathan Sexton to get ahead of him because it's Paddy's jersey.”

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Lancaster unveils Saxons team for Ireland clash

Head coach Stuart Lancaster has handed Ben Youngs, Tom Wood and David Attwood their England Saxons debuts for the clash with Ireland A on Sunday.

Leicester Tigers rising star Youngs will play at scrum-half while Worcester’s Wood, who agreed to join Northampton next season earlier in the week, and Gloucester’s Attwood will play at flanker and second-row respectively.

Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani - on the comeback trail from injury - made himself unavailable for the game due to a family bereavement.

Highly-rated Saracens youngster Alex Goode will start at full-back to allow Shane Geraghty, who was axed from the senior squad after an under-par autumn international display, to play at No. 10.

Quins flyer David Strettle will play on the wing while newcomers Geoff Parling (Leicester), Jon Clarke (Northampton) and Miles Benjamin (Worcester) are on the bench.

And with the game being played at Bath's Recreation Ground boss Lancaster is expecting some partisan England support.

“We are really looking forward to Sunday,” said Lancaster. “We have a young squad full of quality players and a good mix of experience. I'm sure they will rise to a challenging Ireland A squad.

“Bath Rugby have a passionate and loyal fan base and we hope to see as many of them as possible out on Sunday cheering us on and watching this exciting group of players in action.”

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O'Driscoll eyeing Six Nations history

Captain Brian O'Driscoll is adamant Ireland can become the first team in Six Nations history to win back-to-back Grand Slams - despite having to play France in their own back yard.

Under Declan Kidney Ireland won the Grand Slam for the first time since 1948 last year however they are currently behind France in the odds to repeat the trick.

Kidney’s troops face a daunting trip to the Stade de France on February 13 – one of just two games on the road this year – in what could be a defining fixture in their bid to make history.

No team has won two Grand Slams in a row since the Five Nations became the Six Nations in 2000 but O’Driscoll insists not even France will stop them becoming the first.

“You hope it will be your time again, you get selfish after attaining a goal, you get a taste for it,” said O’Driscoll. “But it doesn’t mean your ambition isn’t still there – in fact it’s heightened.

“We know you don’t retain anything in this tournament. You give it back and try to win it again and that is exactly the way we are looking at it.

“If you are better than France this year you won’t be far away for they are strong. Marc Lievremont has changed the team a huge amount and they were very strong against South Africa.

“Back-to-back Grand Slams is all new ground to me I just go with the flow. But as a team we won’t look at things any differently and we won’t treat it any differently.”

Horan and Best part of powerful Ireland A squad for Saxons clash

Marcus Horan and Rory Best have been named in a strong Ireland A squad that will take on England Saxons in Bath this weekend.

Horan - who played in Munster's final Heineken Cup pool match - is named among the front rows alongside Best, who also recently returned to full-time training with Ulster having recovered from injury.

Denis Hurley has been included in the squad and is being monitored on his recovery from the leg injury which forced his late withdrawal from Munster's Heineken Cup clash against Northampton at the weekend.

Meanwhile several players sat out training with the Ireland senior squad in Limerick on Tuesday.

Donncha O'Callaghan (knee), Sean Cronin (sprained ankle) and Stephen Ferris (shin) did not train, but none of the players have been ruled out of contention for the first weekend of the Six Nations Championship.

Ronan O'Gara, Gordon D'Arcy, Jonathan Sexton and Shane Horgan all sat out training as well as a precaution following the weekend's games.

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