It's next to impossible to question Joe Schmidt. The Ireland coach knows best and he knows his players and their limitations. So, when he decides to leave out Andrew Trimble from his final World Cup squad, we're just going to have to trust him but there's no doubt that it's a decision that some fans are finding hard to accept.
The assumption is that Trimble's omission is down to doubts about his injury. Dave Kearney has, by all accounts, been one of the most impressive players behind the scenes while Keith Earls offers more of the versatility that Schmidt is looking for.
Ultimately that means Ireland's player of the year in 2014 misses out on the final squad. We may not doubt that it was a very tough call for Schmidt to make but that doesn't mean fans can't have differing opinions and, with the release of the squad list, quite a few fans are less than thrilled with Trimble's omission.
@RonanOGara10 Trimble on the plane for me over Zebo any day of the week
— Barry Storan (@Barry_Storan) September 1, 2015
Bit gutted for Trimble. A strange few choices #IrishRugby
— Fiona O'Reilly (@thefeester) September 1, 2015
Andrew Trimble > Dave Kearney
— Chris (@the_crsk) September 1, 2015
Gutted for @andrew_trimble. Wrong call considering Earls is in ahead! Saying that, Ulster will have Ireland's best back #headup
— Peter Weir (@Weirsy09) September 1, 2015
Disappointed to hear that Andrew Trimble has been left out, think he is a top player. Delighted though for Cave, deserves it #RugbyWorldCup
— Alistair Cathcart (@AJCathcart) September 1, 2015
Good @IrishRugby squad for the World Cup in a few weeks, disappointed not to see Trimble there. Last years player of year, hardly a gamble!
— Peter Kerr (@JustPeteKerr) September 1, 2015
@IrishRugby @rugbyworldcup So whats the story with Trimble? Should be in the sqaud one of our best back.
— Dan MacAnAirchinnigh (@DanMcInerney90) September 1, 2015
@IrishRugby @rugbyworldcup very very disappointed not to see Trimble there. He's the best Irish winger there is atm — Philip Hutchinson™ (@pip014) September 1, 2015
When fully fit, you'd have to assume Trimble would be in the squad, if not in the starting XV. As such, it's easy to see why everyone is not necessarily on board with the decision to play it safe and leave the Ulsterman at home. However, the decision has been made and despite the initial disappointment of some, it's all aboard the World Cup hype train from here on out.
