Determined skipper Rory Best craves PRO12 glory with Ulster

The Ireland and Ulster skipper admitted this week that one of his biggest regrets in a glittering career to date has not being able to lift anything with his Province.

Ulster are back on that trophy trail again on Friday night with a Guinness PRO12 semi-final against arch rivals Leinster at the RDS, Dublin (7.45pm).

History may be against Ulster and away teams in PRO12 play-off history – no team has ever won away – but Best was not allowing that to get in the way of a possible path to Murrayfield on Saturday week when the PRO12 final will be played.

“There has been a lot made of the fact we have not won anything in 10 years and we have been consistent in making the play-offs,” said Best.

“Every year we feel we are geared up for it but when we get to the end of the season we are hanging by a thread with injuries.

“This year it feels a little different in that we are peaking at the right time and we almost have a full squad. It has been a settled 23 over the last three or four games and it is going for us.”

Best said the motivation for him was always to perform – no matter what colour the jersey he was wearing.

“I make no secret that I have won a few things in my time, but I think one of the biggest regrets is that I have not been able to lift anything with Ulster.

“We finished top of the table in 2006 and won the title, but to go through a play-off system and get to a final where there are just two teams in it and to win that would be a massive thing for me.

“Obviously we have a tough 80 minutes to get through before we think about that – but the motivation remains with me to lift a trophy with Ulster.”