Hubbry Logo
Rory BestRory BestMain
Open search
Rory Best
Community hub
Rory Best
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Rory Best
Rory Best
Rory Best
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Rory David Best OBE (born 15 August 1982) is an Irish former rugby union player who was the captain of the Ireland national team from 2016 to 2019. He played hooker for Ulster and was registered for Banbridge RFC. Best earned 124 caps for Ireland, making his debut in 2005 and retiring at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, his fourth World Cup. He toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017. Since retiring as a player, he was worked in the media, coaching and rugby administration. In October 2025 he was appointed general manager of Ulster.[1]

Early life

[edit]
Best appearing for Ulster in 2012 Magner's League match versus Ospreys

Best was raised in Poyntzpass, County Armagh. His mother is English, from Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.[2] He was educated at Tandragee Junior High School and Portadown College. He then studied agriculture at The University of Newcastle.

Club career

[edit]

Best returned home to join Belfast Harlequins in 2002 where he captained the team and gained his first Ulster contract in 2004.[3] He made his debut for Ulster as a replacement at home to Munster in the 2005 Celtic League. He replaced his brother (now retired Ireland and Ulster prop Simon) as Ulster captain for the 2007/08 season and held the position the position until he retired in 2019.[4] He is renowned for his abilities as a scrummager.[5] Best missed the entire 2009/10 season due to surgery on a chronic disc problem.[6] Best scored two tries in 2011/12 and 2010/11 for Ulster. He was part of the Ulster side that was defeated by Leinster in The Heineken Cup final in 2012.[7]

Best played his 200th game for Ulster in the Pro14 in 2017, earning the honour against Leinster.

International career

[edit]

2005–2012

[edit]

Best made his international debut for Ireland as a replacement against the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road in November 2005 and made his first start against the Springboks in 2006. He has been involved with the national team ever since, initially sharing the number 2 shirt with Jerry Flannery. He was a member of the Irish teams that won the 2007 Triple Crown and was in the Irish squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup[8] as well as the 2009 Six Nations Championship which completed the Grand Slam.[9]

He captained the Ireland team that toured North America in 2009, while many of his Ireland teammates were on the British & Irish Lions team that began their tour of South Africa at the same time. He became the first-choice hooker at the 2011 Rugby World Cup after an injury to Jerry Flannery. Best also played his 50th test for Ireland during the World Cup, scoring a try as Ireland beat the United States during the pool stages.

He was chosen to captain Ireland again, during the 2012 Six Nations Championship, after Paul O'Connell was injured.[10]

2013–2019

[edit]

Best was added to the British & Irish Lions squad for the tour to Australia on 26 May[11] after English hooker Dylan Hartley was removed from the squad after receiving a red card in the Aviva Premiership final for abuse of an official on 25 May 2013.[12] In 2014 Best won his 2nd Six Nations title.

In January 2016, Best was named as the new Ireland captain for the 2016 Six Nations Championship.[13] On 26 November 2016, Best became Ireland's fifth centurion, gaining his 100th cap in a test match vs Australia in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.[14] The previous week, Best captained Ireland to a historic 40–29 win over New Zealand in his 99th appearance, Ireland's first ever win over New Zealand.

After finishing the 2017 Six Nations, Best was selected for the British & Irish Lions for the second time, on the 2017 tour to New Zealand. Best started in four of the five matches he played on tour, captaining the Lions to a 34–6 win over the Chiefs and a 31–31 draw against the Hurricanes. Best was not subbed off in either of those matches, and received an OBE while he was on tour with the Lions.

Best continued as captain for Ireland for the 2018 Six Nations Championship, leading the team to a historic third Grand Slam and Triple Crown, as well as winning the tournament, by defeating England at Twickenham Stadium on Saint Patrick's Day.[15]

Although Best missed the mid-year test series against Australia's Wallabies, with Peter O'Mahony captaining Ireland in his place, Best returned for the 2018 end-of-year rugby union internationals. Best cemented his place as one of the most successful captains in Irish rugby history during the end of 2018, leading Ireland out against New Zealand on 17 November 2018. Ireland beat New Zealand by 16–9, winning their ninth test in a single year.[16]

On 18 April 2019, Best announced that he would retire[17] from professional rugby after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. "It is with mixed feelings that I announce my retirement from Ulster Rugby as of the end of this season," said Best. "This feels like the right time for me to go out on my terms, a luxury for which I feel very privileged,".[18][19]

His final match for Ireland was on 19 October 2019, when they lost to New Zealand, 14–46 in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which was also Best's fourth World Cup tournament.[20] Best was replaced by Niall Scannell in the 63rd minute, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the field. His achievements across his career earned his subsequent praise from All Blacks Captain, Kieran Read.[21][22][23]

He is the only Irish captain to have a win over Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and he is one of a few captains to achieve this.[24]

Best played his last two professional rugby matches for the Barbarians in November 2019. In the first, on 16 November 2019 at Twickenham, he captained the team in the Killic Cup match against the Flying Fijians who won 33–31. He again captained the Baa-Baas in his final match against Wales at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on 30 November 2019. Wales won 43–33. When substituted in the 51st minute, Best received a standing ovation from the crowd, paying tribute to him and marking the end of his illustrious career.

Statistics

[edit]

International analysis by opposition

[edit]
Against Played Won Lost Drawn Tries Points % Won
 Argentina 7 5 2 0 0 0 71.43
 Australia 8 4 4 0 0 0 50
 Canada 3 3 0 0 0 0 100
 England 16 7 9 0 0 0 43.75
 France 16 7 7 2 1 5 43.75
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 1 5 100
 Italy 14 13 1 0 1 5 92.86
 Japan 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
 Namibia 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 New Zealand 12 2 10 0 1 5 14.29
Pacific Islanders 1 1 0 0 1 5 100
 Samoa 3 3 0 0 1 5 100
 Scotland 15 11 4 0 2 10 73.33
 South Africa 6 3 3 0 0 0 50
 United States 2 2 0 0 2 10 100
 Wales 18 10 7 1 2 10 68.75
Total 124 73 48 3 12 60 58.87

Source:[25]

Coaching career

[edit]

In April 2021, Best was announced as a technical and high-performance skills coach for the Seattle Seawolves alongside former Ireland international, Allen Clarke.[26]

Honours

[edit]

Best was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to rugby.[27][28]

Ulster

[edit]

Ireland

[edit]

Personal life

[edit]

Best was raised on the family farm near Poyntzpass, County Armagh;[29] his older brother Simon also played for Ulster and Ireland.[30]

Rory married Jodie Bell, a schoolteacher in Richhill in the summer of 2009; they have two boys and one girl.[31]

Rory is a tillage and beef farmer, with his father and his brother Simon in County Down.[30]

In 2018, while still Irish rugby captain, he was criticised for attending a rape trial[32] His attendance was seen as signalling his support for teammates on trial for the alleged gang rape of a teenage girl. The defendants were ultimately acquitted.[33] He admitted regret in attending the trial a year later in interviews with the press.[34]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rory Best

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Rory Best (born 15 August 1982) is a retired Northern Irish rugby player who competed as a hooker for and the national team. Best made his professional debut for in 2004, accumulating 219 appearances and 23 tries over 15 seasons with the province, including captaining the side and contributing to their 2005–06 title. He earned 124 caps for between his 2005 debut against and his retirement following the , scoring 10 tries and serving as captain from 2016 onward. As Ireland's captain, Best guided the team to significant milestones, including their first-ever victory over in 2016, achieving the highest ranking of second place, and securing the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam—one of only two such triumphs in his career, the other in 2009. He participated in two tours, in 2013 and 2017, and was appointed Officer of the (OBE) in the for services to . Best announced his retirement in April 2019, citing a desire to conclude his career after the while at the peak of his form, having led to four Six Nations titles overall.

Early years

Upbringing and family background

Rory Best was born on 15 August 1982 in , , and raised on his family's near in . The rural setting instilled a strong , shaped by daily farm responsibilities alongside his siblings. He grew up in a family deeply connected to and ; his parents, John and Patricia Best, both received MBEs—John for contributions to and Patricia for services. Best is the youngest of three brothers, with older sibling achieving prominence as a prop for and , and middle brother Mark pursuing other interests; he also has a younger sister. The family's rugby ties extended to local clubs like , where his father remained active, fostering early exposure to the sport amid a Protestant heritage. Best attended College for his education, balancing academic pursuits with farm life and initial rugby interests, aspiring simply to play for and continue the family farming tradition. This grounded upbringing emphasized hard work and provincial pride, influences he later credited for his resilience in professional rugby.

Introduction to rugby and youth development

Rory Best was introduced to at approximately six years of age, around 1988, when his grandfather brought him to the mini rugby section at Banbridge RFC in , . This entry aligned with a family tradition, as both grandfathers had captained the club's first XV and his father, John Best, served as club chairman. From the outset, Best played as a hooker, often competing against older boys to build toughness and skill, which marked him as a standout prospect in the club's youth setup at Rifle Park. Best's youth development at emphasized physical resilience and team play, with the club fostering progression through age-grade teams. He remained involved until under-14 level, contributing to successes such as the team's semi-final appearance in an under-16 international tournament in during spring 1997. Transitioning to school rugby, he represented Portadown College, where he continued playing up age groups for added challenge and featured in early organized fixtures within the schools system. Post-school, Best joined Belfast Harlequins RFC, using occasional returns to for injury rehabilitation, before entering Rugby's development pathway, which honed his professional readiness.

Club career

Progression at Ulster Rugby (2002–2019)

Rory Best began his professional pathway with through , joining the club in 2002 and captaining the team there prior to earning his first senior contract with the province in 2004. He made his competitive debut for that same year, marking the start of a senior career that saw him transition from a developing hooker to a cornerstone of the squad. Best's integration into the first team accelerated in 2005, when he earned his first start against , establishing himself as a reliable performer in the front row amid 's competitive domestic and European campaigns. By the 2007–08 season, his consistency and work ethic led to his appointment as captain, a role he held intermittently and then more prominently, guiding the team through periods of rebuilding and contention for silverware. Throughout the , Best's progression solidified as Ulster's most experienced forward, contributing to deep runs in European competitions, including captaining the side to the 2012 Heineken Cup final, where they fell to . His tenure emphasized scrummaging prowess and leadership in high-stakes matches, amassing 219 appearances and 23 tries by the time he announced his retirement from at the conclusion of the 2018–19 season in April 2019. This decision aligned with the expiration of his contract, allowing focus on international commitments through the .

Key performances and leadership roles

Rory Best made his competitive debut for in November 2004 as a replacement against in the . He quickly established himself as a reliable hooker, contributing to the team's success in the 2005/06 season by winning the title, where Ulster finished top of the league table with 13 wins from 20 matches. Best succeeded his brother Simon as Ulster captain ahead of the 2007/08 season, marking the start of his first leadership stint. During his initial captaincy from 2007 to , Best led through competitive campaigns in the League and Heineken Cup, emphasizing scrummaging strength and forward dominance. He stepped down temporarily in but returned for a second stint in 2014, replacing Johann Muller, and guided the province to consistent play-off contention in the Pro12. Best was reappointed for a third term in August 2017 ahead of the Pro14 season, bringing experience from captaining and the to enhance team preparation and performance under pressure. His focused on , cool-headed , and fostering resilience, as noted in assessments of his influence on squad dynamics. Key performances under Best's tenure included Ulster's run to the 2012 Heineken Cup final, where he played a pivotal role in the forwards pack despite the loss to . He scored 23 tries across 219 appearances for , including notable contributions in scoring seasons like 2010/11 and 2011/12. Best amassed club records, including over 200 caps, and received individual honors such as Personality of the Year in 2006/07 and 2015. His longevity and consistency as a hooker solidified Ulster's set-piece foundation during a period without further major trophies but marked by sustained competitiveness in European and domestic competitions.

International career

Debut and establishment (2005–2012)

Best made his international debut for on 12 November 2005, entering as a replacement hooker against at in , a match lost 7–45. He earned his first starting position in June 2006 during 's tour of , playing the full 80 minutes in a 12–10 victory over the Springboks in the first Test at , , where his scrummaging contributed to 's set-piece dominance in the narrow win. Best solidified his role as a regular squad member during the 2007 Six Nations, making his championship starting debut against on 11 February at the , , in a 26–15 defeat, before featuring in subsequent fixtures that secured Ireland's Triple Crown with a final-round 43–12 win over at Croke Park. Selected for the 2007 in , he appeared as a substitute in pool matches, including Ireland's 32–17 win over on 9 at , , though the team exited in the quarter-finals after a 22–24 loss to . Over the following seasons, Best competed effectively for the hooker position against rivals like , starting consistently in Six Nations campaigns and autumn internationals, with notable performances including his involvement in Ireland's 2009 Grand Slam triumph, where he started four of five matches en route to a 27–12 victory over in the decider at the . In the 2012 Six Nations, he deputized as captain for the injured , leading Ireland in all five fixtures, including a 28–16 home win over in a pre-championship match, marking his emergence as a figure ahead of full captaincy. By the end of 2012, these years had cemented Best as Ireland's established first-choice hooker, with over 50 caps accumulated through reliable lineout execution and forward carries.

Captaincy era and major tournaments (2013–2019)

Rory Best first assumed the Ireland captaincy on an interim basis during the 2013 mid-year tour, leading the team to victories over the (22–12 on June 1) and (19–12 on June 8), marking his early leadership experience amid the absence of senior players. He had previously captained Ireland on select occasions, including a 2009 North American tour, but these 2013 matches solidified his tactical acumen in managing lineout execution and forward packs against tier-two opposition. Best's role expanded following Paul O'Connell's retirement after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, with coach Joe Schmidt appointing him full-time captain via squad ballot in January 2016 for the Six Nations. Under his leadership, Ireland secured the 2016 Six Nations title, finishing with four wins and one loss (to France), including a 58–15 home victory over England that ended their opponents' 18-match winning streak. This campaign highlighted Best's influence in fostering resilience, as evidenced by Ireland's comeback wins and his personal tally of three tries across the tournament. The 2018 Six Nations represented the pinnacle, with Best captaining Ireland to a historic third Grand Slam—the first since 2009—via victories over Scotland (28–8), Italy (26–16), Wales (37–20), France (26–14), and England (24–15 away), securing the Triple Crown and championship. In contrast, the 2017 Six Nations saw Ireland struggle under Best's captaincy, finishing fourth with three wins (Italy, France, England) but heavy defeats to Scotland and Wales exposing vulnerabilities in set-piece stability. The 2019 edition yielded third place, with successes against Italy and France but losses to England and Wales, though Best's forward direction contributed to a campaign total of 17 league points. Beyond the Six Nations, his tenure included the landmark 40–29 victory over on November 18, 2016, Ireland's first against the All Blacks, where Best's lineout calling neutralized opposition possession. This triumph, alongside test wins over and in 2016, elevated Ireland to second in the world rankings, a peak attributed to Best's emphasis on collective accountability over individual flair. At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Best featured prominently as a starter but not , with advancing from Pool D via wins over (44–10 on September 27) and (16–9 on October 4), a narrow 25–24 pool loss to France on October 11, and a quarter-final exit to (20–43 on October 18), where scrummaging penalties undermined their campaign. As for the , Best guided to top Pool A, defeating (27–3 on September 22), (19–12 on September 28), (35–0 on October 3), and (47–22 on October 12), showcasing dominant forward play with 128 points scored in the pool stage. However, the quarter-final against on October 19 ended in a 14–46 defeat, with Best citing post-match fixation on historical failures as a contributing factor to execution errors under pressure. Across 38 Tests as from 2016 to 2019, Best amassed records for 's highest world ranking achievement and multiple victories, underscoring his era's blend of triumphs and unfulfilled potential in knockout rugby.

British & Irish Lions involvement

Best was initially omitted from the 37-man squad for the 2013 tour to but received a late call-up on 26 May 2013 as replacement for England's , who had been handed an 11-week suspension for verbally abusing referee during the Premiership final. Best departed that evening to join the touring party in . During the tour, he featured in four matches: starting against the on 11 June, substituting in the 30–0 win over Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country on 18 June and the 65–28 victory over on 25 June, and captaining the side to a 14–12 win against on 18 June. Best earned selection in the initial 41-man squad for the 2017 Lions tour to , announced on 17 May 2017, as part of a group including two fellow players, and . He assumed a role in midweek fixtures, captaining the Lions to a 34–6 of the Chiefs on 20 June at —emphasizing team response after potential Test exclusions—and leading them in a 31–31 draw with the Hurricanes on 27 June at Westpac Stadium in . Despite his contributions, Best did not appear in the three-Test series against , which the Lions drew 1–1 with one drawn match. Across both tours, he accumulated nine appearances in the Lions jersey, none in Test matches.

Playing style and attributes

Technical proficiency as a hooker

Best excelled in the core technical demands of the hooker position, particularly in scrummaging, where he was recognized as one of the premier operators in the throughout his career. His technique emphasized stability and power retention, allowing and to maintain front-row dominance in tight exchanges; for instance, during the 2017 tour, coach noted Best's strong scrummaging form as a key asset in high-pressure Test matches against . Best refined his scrummaging through targeted analysis and adjustments, as detailed in his , where he described insights into bind positioning and weight distribution that enhanced his effectiveness post-2011. In lineout execution, Best's throwing accuracy was a hallmark, with contemporaries regarding him as among the most reliable in Ireland despite occasional pressures. He overhauled his throwing mechanics in to improve consistency, focusing on arm path and release timing, which contributed to successful retention rates in international play. A notable example came in Ireland's 2013 November international against , where Best achieved 100% connection on six targeted throws, aiding territorial gains. Beyond set-piece work, Best's tackling and breakdown proficiency underscored his technical reliability, often prioritizing short, direct carries and poaching to disrupt opposition possession. His efficiency in these facets—averaging high involvement in rucks without flashy offloads—supported Ireland's structured game plan, as evidenced by his standout performances in the pool stage, where he ranked highly in ruck contributions against . This unyielding focus on fundamentals cemented his reputation as a dependable technician rather than a flair player.

Leadership and mental resilience

Best's leadership as Ireland's captain from 2016 to 2019 emphasized delegation and composure, enabling course corrections during high-stakes matches rather than rigid control, which contributed to key triumphs such as the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam—the third in 's history under his helm—and the nation's first Test series victory in later that year. Under his guidance, also achieved historic wins over , including a 40–29 victory in on November 5, 2016, and a 20–14 defeat of the All Blacks in on November 17, 2018, marking the first time an Irish captain oversaw victories against , , and in the same calendar year. Teammates and observers praised his ability to balance nurturing support with demanding standards, fostering high-performance environments that elevated team morale and execution. His mental resilience stemmed from compensating for limited innate athletic gifts through exceptional , as he acknowledged in 2019: "My career has never been about natural ability – I've had to work harder than anyone else." This drive propelled him to 124 caps as Ireland's most-capped forward, despite recurrent injuries and Ulster's inconsistent provincial results during his tenure from 2002 to 2019. Best exhibited toughness by rebounding from setbacks, including early-career excesses like heavy partying that he later reformed for professionalism, and personal adversities such as sectarian abuse endured as a Protestant from captaining a team with cross-border dynamics. Contemporaries highlighted his robustness, noting he "just keeps coming, keeps working hard to improve each year," which sustained his performance into his late 30s.

Career statistics

International match data

Rory Best accumulated 124 caps for across his international career, spanning from his debut against on 12 November 2005 to his final appearance in the quarter-final defeat to on 19 October 2019. As a hooker, his primary contributions were in the forwards pack, with limited personal scoring; he recorded 12 tries, yielding 60 points in total.
CategoryTotal
Appearances124
Starts119
Tries12
Points60
These figures reflect his role in Ireland's successes, including four Six Nations titles, though detailed win-loss breakdowns per match are available through official records rather than aggregated here.

Performance analysis by opposition

Rory Best accumulated the highest number of appearances against and , with 16 matches each in Ireland's Six Nations encounters. Against , Ireland won 9 of those fixtures featuring Best, including pivotal victories such as the 2018 Grand Slam-deciding 24-15 triumph at , where Best's leadership in the forwards contributed to a dominant set-piece performance. His scrummaging reliability often neutralized 's powerful packs, as evidenced in the 2015 win (25-6) where Ireland's front row, anchored by Best, held firm under pressure. Against , Ireland secured 7 wins in Best's 16 outings, highlighted by his try-scoring contribution in the 2019 Six Nations victory (15-13), underscoring his opportunistic carrying from the base of scrums. French critiques post-match noted Best's tenacity in loose play disrupted their breakdown dominance. Best featured in 15 matches against , with Ireland prevailing in 12, demonstrating consistent superiority in northern rivalries; a notable example was his try in the opener (27-3), where Ireland's lineout accuracy, led by Best's throws, exceeded 90%. Versus , he appeared in at least 14 contests, including the emotional 2019 farewell win (19-10), though Wales edged several tight encounters, exposing occasional vulnerabilities in Best's later years against dynamic Welsh backrows. Against , Best's fewer starts (around 10) aligned with Ireland's unchallenged dominance, winning all, but offered limited analytical depth due to the mismatch in forward contests. In confrontations with powerhouses, Best's record reflected Ireland's evolving competitiveness. He faced five times, captaining wins in 2016 (40-29, historic first victory) and 2018 (16-9), but losses in 2008, 2013 (playing through a broken arm), and the 2019 quarter-final (14-46) highlighted the physical toll of All Blacks' intensity on his hooker role. Against , Ireland under Best achieved key successes like the 2016 autumn win (27-24), part of a calendar-year sweep over the "Big Three," where his captaincy fostered resilience in attritional scrums. Versus , the 2016 tour yielded a series split (28-24 win, 13-26 loss), with Best's leadership enabling Ireland's first victory there, closing the traditional north-south gap through superior phase play execution. Overall, Best's 12 international tries were distributed across opponents, with none against southern giants, emphasizing his primary impact in set-piece stability rather than finishing.
OpponentAppearancesIreland WinsNotable Performance Metrics
England169Key role in 2018 Grand Slam win; strong scrum retention.
France167Try in 2019 win; disrupted French breakdowns.
Scotland1512Try in 2019 WC; >90% lineout success.
New Zealand52Captained historic 2016/2018 wins.
Australia~632016 win in southern sweep.
South Africa21Series split in 2016; first SA Test win.

Honours and records

Ulster achievements

Best debuted for Ulster on 20 September 2005 as a replacement against in the . He featured in the 2005–06 season, during which Ulster clinched the title—their sole major trophy in the professional era—defeating 30–12 in the semi-final on 11 March 2006 and 16–11 in the final on 18 March 2006. Best assumed the Ulster captaincy for the 2007–08 season, his first of multiple stints, with his brother Simon as vice-captain. He resumed the role in 2012, leading the side to the Heineken Cup final, where they fell 42–14 to at on 19 May 2012. Best was reappointed captain in 2015 following Müller's departure and again in 2017 for a third term, guiding to consistent quarter-finals in 2016 and 2018, though without advancing to further silverware. Over his 14-year tenure from 2005 to 2019, Best amassed 217 appearances for , establishing the provincial record for most matches played and tries scored by a forward (23). He earned Players' Player of the Year in 2015 after captaining the side to a strong domestic campaign and his third Six Nations title with , and received the Supporters' Club Player of the Year award in 2019. These individual honors underscored his leadership and durability amid 's limited team successes post-2006.

Ireland and Lions accolades

Rory Best earned 124 caps for between 2005 and 2019, establishing himself as the country's most-capped hooker and forward. As captain from January 2016 until his retirement, he led in 38 Test matches, guiding the team to significant successes including their first-ever victory over on November 18, 2016, in , and series wins against and in 2016. Under his leadership, achieved their highest-ever ranking of number one in 2019. Best contributed to four Six Nations Championship titles as a player: in 2009, 2014, 2015, and 2018. He participated in two Grand Slams (2009 and 2018) and captained the side to the 2018 Grand Slam—the third in 's history—along with the associated Triple Crown. This made him one of only three players to captain to a Grand Slam, and one of two Irishmen to win multiple Grand Slams in their career. His international tenure also included appearances in three Rugby World Cups (2007, 2011, and 2019), though did not advance beyond the quarter-finals in any. With the , Best toured twice: in 2013 to and in 2017 to , accumulating nine appearances across the two expeditions without featuring in Test matches. In 2013, he was part of the squad that clinched a 2–1 Test series victory over , marking the Lions' first series win Down Under in 16 years. During the 2017 tour, which ended in a 1–1–1 draw against , Best captained the Lions in at least three tour matches, including against the Hurricanes on June 27, 2017. For his contributions to rugby, including with and the Lions, Best was appointed Officer of the (OBE) in the 2017 Queen's .

Controversies

2018 Belfast rape trial attendance

In February 2018, Rory Best, then captain of and the national team, attended sessions at during the trial of teammates and , who were charged with rape and related sexual offenses arising from an alleged incident at a house party in south on June 28, 2016. Best arrived at court alongside lock , emphasizing his role in offering to the accused players amid intense media scrutiny. He had been directed by management to attend and was listed as a potential character witness for Jackson, though he ultimately did not provide testimony. Best publicly defended his presence as a captain's duty to stand by players presumed innocent until proven guilty, stating in a radio interview that "as captain, you have to support your players" regardless of the circumstances. The trial, which lasted over three months and involved testimony from more than 50 witnesses, concluded on March 28, 2018, with Jackson acquitted of rape, sexual assault, and attempted rape, and Olding cleared of rape; two other Ulster players, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison, were also acquitted of related charges of exposure and attempting to pervert the course of justice, respectively. Best's attendance fueled debate within Irish rugby circles and beyond, with critics arguing it signaled premature endorsement of the defendants and undermined the complainant's position, while supporters viewed it as loyalty to colleagues facing unproven allegations. In a January 2020 interview, Best reflected on the episode with regret, admitting he had been "unbelievably naive" about the optics and felt manipulated into becoming "a pawn" in the proceedings, though he maintained his intent was solely supportive and not to cause further distress.

Public backlash and responses

Best's attendance at the trial of teammates and on 9 March 2018, the third day when the complainant gave evidence, drew significant public criticism. Social media users accused him of insensitivity toward the alleged victim by visibly supporting the accused during her testimony, with some fans declaring "not my captain" and questioning his leadership suitability. The backlash intensified scrutiny on Irish rugby's culture, amplifying broader debates over the players' messages revealed in court, though Jackson and Olding were acquitted of all charges on 28 April 2018. In response, Best initially explained his presence as part of his captaincy duties, stating he had been subpoenaed as a potential character witness and aimed to support teammates presumed innocent until proven guilty. The controversy led him to contemplate resigning from Ireland's captaincy, with then-head coach Joe Schmidt revealing in November 2019 that Best was "close to quitting" amid the personal toll. By January 2020, Best publicly expressed regret, admitting he was "unbelievably naive" and that attending on the day of the complainant's evidence made him "a pawn" in the proceedings, unintendedly fueling distress. He emphasized no intent to cause further harm but acknowledged hindsight errors in judgment. In June 2022, Best settled libel claims from four lawyers involved in by issuing an unreserved apology for interview comments implying professional misconduct and agreeing to pay substantial plus costs, while also apologizing to Jackson's legal team.

Post-retirement activities

Coaching and advisory roles

Following his from professional rugby in November 2019, Rory Best transitioned into with the of , joining as a skills coach in April 2021. This marked his first official professional position, where he collaborated with technical coach Allen Clarke, a former assistant, to develop player skills in lineouts, scrummaging, and breakdown play. Best described the role as an opportunity to "get a feel" for without full-time commitment, conducting sessions remotely and in-person during the MLR season. In October 2021, Best was appointed assistant coach for Fiji's forwards ahead of their Autumn Nations Series fixtures against on November 6, on November 13, and on November 20. Working under head coach Gareth Baber, a former Fijian sevens specialist, Best focused on enhancing Fiji's set-piece execution and forward cohesion, drawing on his experience as Ireland's most-capped hooker. The short-term international stint represented Best's initial involvement at the level in a coaching capacity, though he has not pursued further head or long-term assistant roles publicly since. Best has supplemented these hands-on coaching engagements with advisory contributions in rugby-related sponsorship and development. In May 2019, prior to his full , he joined the Onside Sponsorship senior advisory panel as a , leveraging his profile to advise on commercial partnerships tied to events like the . This non-operational advisory work emphasized strategic insights into rugby's growing market, aligning with his post-playing emphasis on and rather than sustained coaching pathways.

Charity initiatives and media engagements

Following his retirement from professional rugby in 2019, Rory Best has focused on fundraising for the Cancer Fund for Children, a charity providing support to children with cancer and their families across Ireland. In September 2021, he completed a 290 km (180-mile) walk over multiple days, raising over €500,000 toward a €1 million target to expand the organization's therapeutic and support services. Best repeated the effort in May 2023 with the "Miles 2 Mayo" challenge, walking 330 km from Dublin's to Cong in over 10 days, which surpassed €1 million in funds to aid construction of the Daisy Lodge, a dedicated therapeutic retreat center for affected children and families. This initiative built on his prior contributions, emphasizing practical expansion of on-site facilities amid growing demand for the charity's programs. In media roles, Best has served as a rugby pundit and analyst post-retirement, offering commentary on matches for outlets including , ITV, and BT Sport. He also engages in , addressing topics such as and based on his tenure as captain, through agencies that book him for corporate and motivational events. These activities align with his role in at The Ardonagh Group, where he contributes to and charitable outreach.

Personal life

Family and private interests

Rory Best is married to Jodie Best, his partner since their teenage years. The couple has three children: sons Ben and Richie, and daughter . As of 2019, Ben was eight years old, Penny six, and Richie three. The family resides near in , , where Best has expressed concerns about his children potentially pursuing rugby due to the sport's physical demands and risks. Best hails from a farming ; he was raised on the family farm in , and his older brother also played professional rugby for and . During his rugby career, Best dedicated off-days to managing the beef and tillage operations on the family farm in . Post-retirement in 2019, he transitioned to full-time involvement as manager of R&J Best Farms, established in 2009, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of agricultural work amid economic pressures like rising fuel costs. He has highlighted farming's role in grounding his lifestyle, contrasting it with the transient nature of professional sports.

Identity and cultural perspectives

Rory Best was born on 15 August 1982 in , , , into a Protestant farming family, which shaped his strong regional identity. He has publicly affirmed pride in his roots, stating, "I'm very proud of the fact I come from ," while emphasizing his lifelong support for the all-island rugby team as the sole international side he backed. This dual allegiance reflects the broader cultural dynamics in , where Protestant individuals from unionist backgrounds often navigate participation in Irish sporting institutions without compromising personal heritage. As Ireland's captain for 38 Tests between 2016 and 2019, Best, a Protestant Ulsterman, encountered tied to his background, including taunts labeling him a "fat Protestant," yet he reported never feeling alienated within the squad. Rugby, in his experience, served as a unifying force across Ireland's divides, enabling players from diverse constitutional perspectives to collaborate under one banner, a Best exemplified amid the 's tradition of transcending sectarian lines. Best refrained from singing "," the pan-island anthem adopted for rugby to bridge Northern and Republic players, citing its profound emotional resonance as a distraction from his pre-match mental preparation. In a 2024 interview, he clarified that the song's intensity risked overwhelming him, stating it was "so emotive" that singing would impair focus, rather than stemming from political disaffection with Irish symbolism. This practice drew scrutiny but underscored his pragmatic approach to performance over performative gestures, aligning with rugby's emphasis on shared endeavor over ideological conformity.

References

  1. https://www.irishrugby.ie/2006/02/01/6-nations-squad-profiles-forwards/
  2. https://www.irishrugby.ie/2019/04/18/best-to-retire-after-this-years-rugby-world-cup/
  3. https://ulster.rugby/content/rory-best-becomes-a-centurion
  4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53894775
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47974934
  6. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/2458076/rory-best-ireland-rugby-union/
  7. https://kids.kiddle.co/Rory_Best
  8. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/rory-best-my-autobiography-front-row-view-1.4198872
  9. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rory-best-pays-tribute-to-family-after-obe-award/35835376.html
  10. https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/northern-ireland-travel/irish-rugby-captains-obe-puts-him-one-up-on-mum-and-dad-v3mm2tlk8
  11. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/mar/22/rory-best-ireland-played-hard-partied-hard-change-protestant
  12. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/rise-of-rory-best-devoted-family-man-and-ireland-captain/34383021.html
  13. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/weekend/when-you-miss-things-with-the-family-you-feel-guilty-but-my-wife-and-kids-know-rugby-is-what-gives-us-a-nice-lifestyle/36548132.html
  14. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3972908/Rory-Best-drive-succeed-says-eldest-brother-Simon.html
  15. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/new-ireland-rugby-captain-rory-best-was-destined-for-greatness-1276155
  16. https://www.lionsrugby.com/en/news/your-club-your-lions-banbridge-rfc
  17. https://ulster.rugby/content/best-to-retire-after-rugby-world-cup-2019
  18. https://rugbyspeakersuk.com/after-dinner-rugby-speakers/rory-best-obe
  19. https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/news/six-nations-legends-rory-best
  20. https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/rory-best
  21. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/apr/27/rory-best-ulster-heineken-cup
  22. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/47974934
  23. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/rory-best-to-retire-from-rugby-after-world-cup-1.3864548
  24. https://www.epcrugby.com/european-professional-club-rugby/content/rory-best-to-captain-ulster
  25. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/28608431
  26. https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/20496032/rory-best-returns-ulster-captaincy-role-new-guinness-pro14-season
  27. https://www.the42.ie/rory-best-leadership-style-4803535-Sep2019/
  28. https://www.irishrugby.ie/2015/05/02/best-gilroy-and-cave-among-the-ulster-award-winners/
  29. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby/ireland-rugby/rory-best-3964/international-rugby-caps-2010-2014_a36676/
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUucSoTttyo
  31. https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/ireland-countries/book-review-the-angst-and-achievements-of-irelands-rory-best-109105
  32. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby/ireland-rugby-players-n-s/rory-best-3964/2007-world-cup_a02446/
  33. https://www.lionsrugby.com/en/teams/mens-team/rory-best-RB936890
  34. https://www.thesun.ie/sport/rugby-union/4565361/rory-best-what-age-where-from-ireland-captain-rugby-world-cup/
  35. https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/14664680/secret-ballot-gave-rory-best-ireland-captaincy-six-nations
  36. https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/85aiw1/rory_best_one_of_three_irish_grandslam_captains/
  37. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby/ireland-rugby/rory-best-3964/international-rugby-caps-2015-2019_a36677/
  38. https://www.irishrugby.ie/video/rory-best-on-irelands-rugby-world-cup-to-date/
  39. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/19/rory-best-ireland-world-cup-exit
  40. https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/ireland-countries/who-is-rory-best-the-former-ireland-captain-turned-pundit-152949
  41. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/may/26/dylan-hartley-out-lions-tour-ban
  42. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/british-irish-lions-tour-2013-4018759.amp
  43. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/22681869
  44. https://ulster.rugby/content/ulster-trio-named-in-british-irish-lions-squad
  45. https://www.irishrugby.ie/2017/06/18/best-to-captain-lions-against-chiefs/
  46. https://www.lionsrugby.com/en/news/2017-lions-player-retrospective-rory-best
  47. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/40396311
  48. https://www.ultimaterugby.com/rory-best
  49. https://www.offtheball.com/rugby/warren-gatland-praises-rory-bests-leadership-abilities-257709
  50. https://www.leinsterfans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=612351
  51. https://www.the42.ie/rory-best-ireland-australia-1178080-Nov2013/
  52. https://www.the42.ie/rory-best-retired-interview-ireland-5034778-Mar2020/
  53. https://www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-ruck-scotland-world-cup-4824538-Sep2019/
  54. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/49766716
  55. https://inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/rory-best-interview-ireland-rugby-union-captain-six-nations-2019-250590
  56. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3890198/Rory-Best-hailed-one-Ireland-s-toughest-approaches-100-caps.html
  57. https://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/men/statistics/
  58. https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/rory-best-1471.html
  59. https://www.irishrugby.ie/2020/02/23/head-to-head-ireland-v-england-15/
  60. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37887108
  61. https://www.irishrugby.ie/2020/10/30/head-to-head-ireland-v-france-14/
  62. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/rory-best-s-remarkable-service-all-there-in-black-and-white-1.3824748
  63. https://www.irishrugby.ie/2020/02/01/head-to-head-ireland-v-scotland-17/
  64. http://www.rugbydatabase.com.au/player/opponentList.php?opponentId=44&playerId=9930
  65. https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/teams/ireland/rory-best
  66. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/38131192
  67. https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2049546/north-south-void-has-been-filled-says-ireland-captain-rory-best-after
  68. https://www.rugbyspeakersuk.com/after-dinner-rugby-speakers/rory-best-obe
  69. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/32857561
  70. https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2019/0418/1043348-ireland-ulster-captain-best-to-retire-after-world-cup/
  71. https://ulster.rugby/content/rory-best-named-new-ulster-captain
  72. https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby-legend-rory-best-16151666
  73. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/48215767
  74. https://www.ulster.rugby/content/best-humbled-and-honoured-after-his-obe
  75. https://www.qub.ac.uk/News/Allnews/2018/RoryBestreceivesHonoraryDoctorateatQueensUniversity.html
  76. https://ulster.rugby/content/best-humbled-and-honoured-after-his-obe
  77. https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/22315649/ireland-captain-rory-best-explains-appearance-trial-teammates-stuart-olding-paddy-jackson
  78. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-61963414
  79. https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/22315649/ireland-captain-rory-best-explains-appearance-trial-teammates-stuart-olding-paddy-jackson
  80. https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2018/0205/938454-rape-trial-belfast/
  81. https://www.offtheball.com/videos/video-rory-best-addresses-his-attendance-at-the-rape-trial-of-paddy-jackson-and-stuart-olding-241817
  82. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/dec/04/rugby-rape-trial-ireland-belfast-case
  83. https://jerseyeveningpost.com/morenews/uknews/2018/02/21/rory-best-declines-to-comment-on-attendance-at-rape-trial/
  84. https://www.the42.ie/rory-best-4976020-Jan2020/
  85. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51212100
  86. https://www.qradio.com/midulster/news/q-radio-local-news/rory-best-regrets-attending-rugby-rape-trial/
  87. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/rory-best-says-not-my-captain-reaction-to-jackson-and-olding-trial-appearance-made-him-consider-ireland-role/37977560.html
  88. https://africa.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/22315649/ireland-captain-rory-best-explains-appearance-trial-teammates-stuart-olding-paddy-jackson
  89. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/rory-best-breaks-silence-rape-trial-attendance-controversy/
  90. https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2019/1121/1094433-best-close-to-quitting-during-belfast-trial-schmidt/
  91. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/rory-best-almost-quit-rugby-after-rape-trial-furore/38722063.html
  92. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/rory-best-regrets-attending-belfast-rape-trial-1.4148239
  93. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30977153.html
  94. https://breakingnews.ie/ireland/rugby-star-rory-best-apologises-and-agrees-to-pay-damages-for-rape-trial-remarks-2-1326440.html
  95. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/rory-best-to-take-up-coaching-role-with-usa-side-seattle-seawolves-1.4547893
  96. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/rory-best-former-ulster-and-ireland-captain-lands-first-official-coaching-role-in-major-league-rugby/40350803.html
  97. https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2021/0427/1212354-best-hopes-seattle-role-will-give-him-coaching-feel/
  98. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/58966000
  99. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/rory-best-takes-on-new-role-as-sponsorship-consultant/38085461.html
  100. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/people/rugby-legend-rory-best-completes-180-mile-walk-to-raise-money-for-cancer-fund-for-children-3387118
  101. https://www.ardonaghtrust.org/our-news/rory-best-gets-set-for-his-second-miles-2-mayo-walk-for-cancer-fund-for-children
  102. https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/rory-best-ireland-andy-farrell-enda-kenny-dublin-b2345961.html
  103. https://www.ardonagh.com/group-news/2023/rory-best-hits-the-1million-mark-for-cancer-fund-for-children/
  104. https://cancerfundforchildren.com/news/rory-best-completes-miles-2-mayo-challenge/
  105. https://www.irishcentral.com/news/community/rorys-miles-2-mayo
  106. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rorybest
  107. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/telling-son-ben-8-was-tough-rory/38030013.html
  108. https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/rugby-union/who-rory-bests-wife-jodie-34549696
  109. https://evoke.ie/2019/04/09/entertainment/rory-best-worry-kids-rugby
  110. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sponsored/arid-40031225.html
  111. https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/i-usually-spend-my-days-off-as-farming-days-rory-best-219278
  112. https://rugbyonslaught.com/rory-best-gives-candid-interview-about-his-new-life-as-a-full-time-farmer/
  113. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVRdExO1RYg
  114. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/rory-best-i-just-thought-you-played-the-game-hard-and-partied-hard-1.4210302
  115. https://www.facebook.com/BBC.News.NI/videos/rory-best-tells-brian-odriscoll-about-being-referred-to-as-a-fat-protestant-in-a/2007209552674974/
  116. https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/18/sport/ulster-rugby-ireland-rory-best-darren-cave-brexit-spt-intl-gbr
  117. https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/irelands-call-was-too-emotive-to-sing-before-games-former-irish-rugby-captain-rory-best-reveals-4I2IQAIK4VATFHW42ZH2URUCEY/
  118. https://www.ruck.co.uk/rory-best-reveals-why-he-never-sang-the-irish-national-anthem/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.