RUCK ON, TOMMY!

Big fan Trimble can't wait to see O'Brien's skill & steel in this year's Six Nations tournament

- BY DEREK FOLEY

TOMMY O'BRIEN was not part of last season's Six Nations squad but will be included this year.

Not only that, Andrew Trimble sees him as one of the first names on the team sheet in Paris in a fortnight’s time.

The 27-year-old has been having a sensational year, cementing a place with Leinster, touring with Ireland in the summer and making his senior international debut in November.

Former Ireland winger Trimble is unequivocal about the player's ability.

"I love Tommy O'Brien, I love every thing he does, he’s very pickable, he is one of the first names down," said the 70-times capped Ulsterman (above).

"Tommy is someone whose mentality, approach and philosophy over how he plays rugby is something that impacts the 14 other lads on the pitch. He does everything with such tenacity, commitment - 100 percent, 100 miles an hour.

"He gets in the fifth gear straight away, approaches everything with that whether he's kick-chasing, whether he's defending, whether he's tackling or he's carrying the ball, making decisions. Everything he does is with full commitment.