31 Facts About Rory Best

Rory David Best was born on 15 August 1982 and is an Irish former rugby union player from Northern Ireland and was the captain of the Ireland national team from 2016 to 2019.

Rory Best played hooker for Ulster and was registered for Banbridge RFC, having previously represented the Newcastle Agrics.

Rory Best is one of the most capped rugby players of all time, as well as the most-capped forward to ever represent Ireland.

Rory Best was educated at Tandragee Junior High School and Portadown College.

Rory Best then studied agriculture at The University of Newcastle.

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Rory Best returned home to join Belfast Harlequins in 2002 where he captained the team and gained his first Ulster contract in 2004.

Rory Best made his debut for Ulster as a replacement at home to Munster in the 2005 Celtic League.

Rory Best was part of the Ulster side that was defeated by Leinster in The Heineken Cup final in 2012.

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

Rory 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.

Rory Best has been involved with the national team ever since, initially sharing the number 2 shirt with Jerry Flannery.

Rory Best 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 as well as the 2009 Six Nations Championship which completed the Grand Slam.

Rory Best became the first-choice hooker at the 2011 Rugby World Cup after an injury to Jerry Flannery.

Rory Best played his 50th test for Ireland during the World Cup, scoring a try as Ireland beat the United States during the pool stages.

Rory Best was chosen to captain Ireland again, during the 2012 Six Nations Championship, after Paul O'Connell was injured.

In January 2016, Rory Best was named as the new Ireland captain for the 2016 Six Nations Championship.

On 26 November 2016, Rory Best became Ireland's fifth centurion, gaining his 100th cap in a test match vs Australia in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

Rory Best was not subbed off in either of those matches, and received an OBE while he was on tour with the Lions.

Rory 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 St Patrick's Day.

Rory 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.

On 18 April 2019, Rory Best announced that he would retire from professional rugby after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Rory Best was replaced by Niall Scannell in the 63rd minute, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the field.

Rory Best 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.

Rory Best played his last two professional rugby matches for the Barbarians in November 2019.

Rory Best again captained the Baa-Baas in his final match against Wales at the Principality Stadium, Cadiff, on 30 November 2019.

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When substituted in the 51st minute, Rory Best received a standing ovation from the crowd, paying tribute to him and marking the end of his illustrious career.

Rory Best was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to rugby.

Rory Best was raised on the family farm near Poyntzpass, County Armagh; his older brother Simon played for Ulster and Ireland.

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

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

Rory Best admitted regret in attending the trial a year later in interviews with the press.