Ulster hooker Rory Best has signed a new two-year Irish contract up until June of 2016. The 31-year-old made his senior debut for Ulster against Munster in November 2004 and has represented his province 143 times, scoring 12 tries.

He won his first cap for Ireland against New Zealand in November 2005 and has made 70 appearances for Ireland and has scored eight international tries, the most recent of which came in the narrow defeat to the All Blacks.

Best broke his arm in that game and will not return until the new year.

“I am pleased to have signed for a further two years,” said Best. “It is a massive honour to play for Ireland and Ulster. The support that I received when I missed out on the initial Lions squad was a massive factor in me making the decision to stay.

“That made me feel very special and underlined to me that Ulster is more than a team, it is a community and a rugby family. I want to keep playing for Ireland for as long as I can and to try and win a few more things in the green jersey.”