Ulster Rugby vs Toulouse

RORY BEST: SKIPPER RORY’S FRENCH RELISH

To captain Ulster is something Rory Best, despite his distinguished career in the white of Ulster and green of Ireland, sees as a privilege, but it goes much deeper than that.

from personal experience, he’s also got a ruthless side, and to me that is the perfect cocktail for the modern coach. “That Ulster had gone out and sought him out showed the ambition we all needed to have, and to be told he wanted me to lead the side really did have my juices flowing again. “I’d already got the appetite for Ulster and for the game, but it was like getting even more new batteries when Les arrived. It was like a jigsaw, the pieces were now in place and I really believed we could build something that would last. “I’ve looked on from a bit of a distance and seen how teams like Leinster were shaped, how they were led, and how they became so consistently successful, operating like an international side. I just believe we can do something like that at the Kingspan, and as long as I’m involved and justifying my place in the team I would love to be part of that,” says the always affable and patient Best. He’s just signed a contract extension with Ulster and Ireland until 2018, and he accepts with a shy, winning smile that he’s played the best rugby of his career in the last two years. “When you face a bit of adversity you can either let it affect you, or you can see it as something to get through and come out stronger on the other side. “I can sort of say that July 2013 was a real turning point for me. The Lions’ tour hadn’t gone as I’d have liked, but I just decided that I would work hard, give everything to Ulster, to Ireland, and see what happened. “And yes, I do think I’ve probably played and enjoyed the best rugby since then. “And we’ll all need to be at the top of our game against Toulouse, such a great force in the game and with players like the great Imanol Harinordiquy, Louis Picamoles and Thierry Dusautoir available

In a way it has revitalised a hooker who leads the side out tonight for a Champions Cup game with Toulouse, which he is relishing. “When Les Kiss, during international camp, told me it was me he wanted to lead the side when he arrived at Kingspan Stadium as Director of Rugby, it was like a whole new challenge. “Each game has been part of that challenge, and we feel as players we’ve come through a difficult period, regrouped after a horrendous rash of injuries, and Europe is always special. It’s special to play in, just as it was for me to watch as a fan as a youngster and I think we can guarantee the crowd on Friday will make the stadium white-hot. “We’re well-prepared, we’re confident and we really want to perform and kick-start a campaign we believe we can progress in despite what some of the commentators might think. This is only our second pool match, and even if you look back to last season you get inspiration from what Bath did in reaching the knockout stages despite losing their first two games.” Looking into his steely eyes it’s clear Rory Best doesn’t intend to leave the pitch tonight without a win under his team’s belt. “Yes, I’d been skipper before, and I always cherished that honour. I felt I could bring something to the role, experience obviously but also a really fierce ambition to win things,” said the most- capped hooker in Irish history and a player energetically approaching 200 appearances in an Ulster shirt. “But I knew this was going to be an exciting time at Ulster, I’d known Les for a long time through his seven years in the Ireland coaching set-up, I was a fan, and saw great possibilities with him in tandem with Neil Doak and the rest of the guys here. “He’s such a personable fella, but there was a reason that he’d survived, if you like, under different Irish regimes. He’s a world-class coach, I know that

RORY BEST

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