Andrew Trimble’s World Cup dreams on a knife-edge after second scan

The Ulster winger damaged the same foot that he required surgery on late last year.

Andrew Trimble had 37 superb minutes for Ireland in their 35-21 victory over Wales. Then, injury struck. Moments after the winger had been bundled out of touch down near the Welsh tryline, he was limping off with team doctor Eanna Falvey. A first scan on his foot proved inconclusive. A second, undertaken on Wednesday, gave Trimble reason to be hopeful. Trimble is a glass half-full kind of guy. Ireland coach Joe Schmidt comments,'We're hoping [he will get back on the pitch]. The second scan was relatively hopeful; down around the toes. 'He's going to start with some light running, starting next week. We'd hope that he would be fully fit for Wales [on August 29], to start training, on Monday week.' Pressed more on the potential pitfalls of his injury, Schmidt said Trimble's situation was "not great". 'He has 10 days now where he has to build himself back,' says Schmidt. 'It's not ideal for him; particularly not after a long absence. 'He's got some confidence, particularly off the back of a positive prognosis yesterday. That means he is going to work his way back and do the best he can to get himself right.' The New Zealander confirmed the toe injury is 'around the same area' as the badly damaged toe that required surgery in late 2014 and ruled Trimble out of the 2015 Six Nations. 'The feedback from that second scan is that area [around the big toe] is intact and that he'll be up and running in 10 days or so.'