Ireland captain Rory Best has revealed this year’s World Cup is likely to be his international swansong. The Ulster hooker, who turns 37 the month before this year’s World Cup gets underway, is in line to win his 116th cap for his country when they play host to France in the Six Nations on Sunday.
Best, who made his debut for Ireland back in 2005, has now confirmed he is likely to retire from the international game after the World Cup, where he will be hoping to lead Ireland to their first ever semi-final and perhaps even beyond.
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“I think it’s fairly certain that the World Cup will be the end for me,” Best said. “I am really enjoying rugby and part of that might be because I haven’t 100% made the decision.
“But I’m fairly sure it will be,and part of the reason I’m enjoying rugby so much, and I hope playing well, is because there’s that weight lifted off.”
The British and Irish Lions star has also indicated he may call time on his domestic career as well despite previously suggesting he was open to continuing playing for Ulster after the World Cup.
He added: “I am in a really lucky position at the minute that, the way I am feeling, I can go to the World Cup and be at the top of my game. “And for me, the way I’m thinking at the minute, that will be a really good time for me.”
