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Ulster, Ireland wing Andrew Trimble announces retirement

Andrew Trimble, who won 70 caps for Ireland, will retire at the end of Ulster's season. Shaun Roy/Gallo Images

Ireland and Ulster star Andrew Trimble has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

The wing, 33, won 70 Ireland caps between 2005 and 2017, helping Joe Schmidt's men claim the 2014 Six Nations title.

Trimble made a record 229 appearances for Ulster and featured when Ireland claimed their maiden win over the All Blacks, that 40-29 victory coming in Chicago in November 2016.

In an open letter published by Ulster and the Irish Rugby Football Union, Trimble called time on a sparkling career that included 17 Test tries.

"I know that I've been incredibly fortunate to have realised not one of my dreams, but two of them - to play for Ulster and to play for Ireland," wrote Trimble.

"These have been some of the most fulfilling days of my life and I feel nothing but gratitude for them.

"But there's no way of stopping time - and I see that each day in the lives of my two young children, who are now close to beating me over five metres! So I wanted to let you know that this will be my last season playing professional rugby."