Former Ireland internationals and current TV pundits Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble opinions rarely coincide.
But both agree Ulster Rugby’s announcement yesterday that Kingspan Stadium’s Memorial Stand is to be renamed in honour of Nevin Spence is a magnificent gesture.
Spence – insist both Ulster legends – having already broken through at Ulster before his tragic death in 2012 was on the brink of international stardom.
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Nevin Spence, together with his father, Noel, and brother, Graham, tragically passed away in a farm accident on September 15, 2012,
The gifted centre had already made 42 appearances for Ulster, was an Ireland U20s international and had played three times for The Wolfhounds (Ireland ‘A’). He was aged 22 at the time of his passing.
Ferris said of his former team-mate: “He was an incredibly direct player and I think the modern game would have been really suited to him, he was just so hard, very durable as well, very rarely injured – when he was given his opportunity, he took it.
“As a player he was a robust, physical guy. I tried to tackle him at training one day, I was thinking I’d to put a few manners on him.
“He taught me a lesson that day, fractured my socket, cheekbone and kept me out for a number of months and it’s why I’ve got a bit of a deformed nose cheek – because of Nevin Spence!“
Trimble still wonders as to how far Spence would have gone in the intervening years: “Who knows? You’d imagine there would have been something there alright, his was a level of athleticism that was just pure raw.
“I would imagine as he went through his 20s he would have started to refine that and started to add to that and then, you know, probably kicked on and became the kind of player people anticipated he might have become.”
On the renaming of the Memorial Stand, which will be officially unveiled on 26 April 2023 – what would have been Nevin’s 33rd birthday, Ferris added: “It’s just a real sad loss that Nevin wasn’t able to further develop the career and I think everybody’s thoughts are with him and his family, especially today after it being 10 years to the day.
“I think Ulster can really keep our heads held high with this, and I can echo the words I saw dominating social media today ‘He will never be forgotten’.
“Those driving this are making sure that he will carry on long into the future.”
Trimble agreed: “It’s really important to remember a young fella’ who had a massive impact on the people around him, on the rugby players, staff and supporters and into Irish rugby as well.
“Certainly he had a big impact on me and my life and I miss him massively and I think of him regularly.
“It’s a beautiful tribute and I’m sure Emma and his mom and the rest of the family, will be delighted.
“It’s such an honour for them, and I know they’re very proud of Nevin and that’ll make them even more proud. It is a great, great gesture from Ulster.”
Saturday's match against Connacht will be an opportunity for supporters to join the club in honouring Nevin, Graham and Noel.
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