Rugby

Ireland captain Rory Best signs IRFU contract extension

IRFU funded contract will run until the end of the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019

Rory Best with the Six Nations trophy on the team’s flight back to Dublin. Photograph: Inpho

Tue Mar 20 2018 - 11:08

The IRFU has announced that Ireland and Ulster captain Rory Best has signed a contract extension to the end of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Best, who took over the Ireland captaincy ahead of the 2016 Six Nations Championship, has won 111 caps for his country making him Ireland's third most capped player.

Under his stewardship Ireland recorded their first win over the Springboks on South African soil as well as recording a first ever victory over New Zealand in Chicago in November 2016.

At the weekend Best secured a fourth Six Nations title and second Grand Slam title having played in the successful 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2018 campaigns.

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He made his international debut against New Zealand in 2005 and has scored nine international tries and toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017.

Best made his senior debut for Ulster against Munster in November 2004 and has represented his province 204 times, scoring 21 tries.

IRFU, Performance Director, David Nucifora, commented:

“Rory has been an outstanding leader for Ireland and continues to produce stand-out performances at the highest level of the game. He is an important member of the Ireland leadership group and we are delighted that he will continue to play a central role in Irish Rugby.”

While Best himself added;

“I am in a very privileged position as captain of Ireland and Ulster to be involved with two groups of incredibly talented players. I feel I can continue to make a contribution to both Ireland and Ulster Rugby and am delighted to have extended my IRFU contract to the next World Cup.

“Support of family, friends and supporters is a hugely important element for any professional sportsperson and I would like to thank everyone for their support but specifically my wife Jodie who has been incredible and has ensured that as a family we have been able to share in all the great memories of the last few years.”

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