Tag Archives: Rory Best

For Rory Best, Ireland’s premature exit from the 2019 Rugby World Cup was not the way he would have wanted to sign off on his decorated career.  With the rest of the squad, there is an opportunity to right some wrongs by getting back on track at provincial level in the white heat of European Cup rugby and, of course, …

Just like the 2015 exit at the hands of Argentina, the latest in Ireland’s long run of Rugby World Cup quarter-final failures will leave a sour taste in the mouth for some time.  After they promised so much in 2018, Ireland became a shadow of that side in 2019 which ultimately culminated in a 46-14 thrashing by New Zealand in …

Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign is over following a demoralising 46-14 defeat to New Zealand in Tokyo. Joe Schmidt’s side were on the back foot from the off, as a clinical All Blacks side ran in two tries in the opening 20 minutes to leave Ireland with a huge uphill task. Ireland did get two tries of their own towards …

Despite yesterday’s bonus-point win over Russia, question marks still hang over Ireland’s form heading into their final Pool A game with Samoa. Joe Schmidt’s side were expected to bounce back in style following a shock defeat to Japan last weekend. However, a much-changed Irish outfit laboured to a 35-0 win over the Russian Bears. Rory Best was one of the …

A lot of questions were asked of this Ireland squad in the lead-up to the ongoing Rugby World Cup in Japan.  A poor showing in the Six Nations was compounded when England dropped 57 points on Joe Schmidt’s side last month in Twickenham. A lot of criticism was levied at the team, but outgoing captain Rory Best seemed to shoulder …

Irish supporters have slept a little sounder in their beds since Ireland’s 19-10 victory over Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.  After a summer series which raised worrying questions ahead of the World Cup, the last warm-up game against a strong Welsh side finally showed signs of the 2018 version of this team. Ireland consistently got over the gain …

Rory Best started in 2005 coming on as a sub against New Zealand to take up his position in the scrum alongside his brother, Simon. While it’s not over just quite yet the end is most definitely approaching for the Ulster man who made his final appearance at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland’s 19-10 win over Wales this afternoon. The …

The end of an era… Rory Best has departed the Aviva Stadium turf for the final time during Ireland’s concluding Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Wales this afternoon. It’s been a fabulous career for the Armagh native who made his senior debut for Ireland under Eddie O’Sullivan back in 2005. Since then he has gone on to amass 120 …

He may not want to dwell on it before the game, but Saturday’s encounter with Wales will mark Rory Best’s final game at Lansdowne Road after 14 years.  The Ulster talisman made his Ireland debut in the old stadium when he came off the bench against the All-Blacks in November 2005. Since then, he has seen the best, and the …

With the Rugby World Cup in Japan looming, Ireland captain Rory Best has addressed what went wrong in the 2019 Six Nations Championships.  Joe Schmidt’s side came into the game as raging hot favourites having beaten all before them in 2018. Ireland followed up their Grand Slam victory with a first series win in Australia since 1979 before going on …

Ulster Rugby have today confirmed that Iain Henderson will take over as club captain for the 2019/2020 season following the retirement of Rory Best. The 27-year-old has previously captained the northern province on numerous occasions and brings a wealth of experience to the role having made 105 appearances for Ulster as well as having represented both Ireland and the British …

Ireland and Ulster captain, Rory Best, has confirmed that he will retire from rugby following the World Cup in October.  Best is Ulster’s most-capped international with 116 appearances (10 tries) and has helped Ireland win the Six Nations Championship on four occasions, including two Grand Slam successes (one as captain). He made his competitive debut for Ulster in 2004 and …

Captain, Rory Best, has praised Ulster’s signing of “world class” player, Jack McGrath who will join from Leinster at the end of the season.  The 29-year-old has won 54 caps for Ireland to date and featured in all three Tests on the 2017 British and Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand. Having fallen down the pecking order in Leinster, McGrath …

The trajectory of Jacob Stockdale’s career since bursting onto the scene with a try against South Africa in his first home international has been a constant upward curve. Unfortunately for the Ulster winger, Saturday’s game-changing slip-up against Leinster in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final marks the first major setback of his career as the northern province crashed out of Europe’s …

Former Irish international Tommy Bowe has paid tribute to captain Rory Best ahead of the Ulster hooker’s final Six Nations game against Wales on Saturday. The 36-year old scored a try in Ireland’s victory over France in Dublin on Sunday, to help Schmidt’s side to a bonus point victory and giving them a slim chance of winning the Championship. Best’s …

This weekend’s clash with Wales will mark the last time that Rory Best leads Ireland into battle in the Guinness Six Nations.  The Ulster hooker will take to the field on Saturday for his 117th cap and Johnny Sexton admitted that it will be in the back of the players’ minds to give him a good send-off alongside coach, Joe Schmidt, …

With the 2019 Six Nations Championships only a few days away, excitement is beginning to build nationwide as Ireland gear up to defend the Grand Slam title they won in 2018.  For Rory Best, this Six Nations will be his last, as the Ireland captain plans to bow out of International rugby come the end of this year’s World Cup. …

The IRFU yesterday confirmed that Joe Schmidt will step down as Ireland head coach after the 2019 World Cup in Japan, and will be replaced by current defence coach Andy Farrell. It is seen as a smart appointment by the IRFU given that Farrell has made a huge contribution to this current Ireland squad over the last two and a half …