New Ireland rugby captain Rory Best '˜was destined for greatness'

Banbridge RFC youth convenor and ex-president David Dodds was talking to the News Letter after it was confirmed that the 33-year-old hooker and Ulster captain had been entrusted with the honour of leading Ireland in this year’s Six Nations tournament.

“We are obviously delighted for Rory and his family and very pleased and proud that he is a member of this club,” Mr Dodds said.

“He started here at about six years of age – his grandad brought him along.”

He imagines Rory’s grandfather would also have been a forward.

Rory played at the club up until Under 14 level, when he then started to play for his school, Portadown College.

And right from the start it was clear where his future lay.

“He was really always a hooker even at mini-rugby level. He really did stand out, even at that age, he was always destined for great things.”

His brother Simon also stood out too – captaining Ireland in two Tests during a tour to Argentina in 2007, before being forced to retire because of an irregular heartbeat.

“Rory was always a tough nut, even as a boy. He was a hard player and not afraid to get stuck in. He tackled hard and ran hard.”

He was so talented that he quite often played with boys a year or two older than him, in order to provide him with a challenge, a practice used to great effect for youth development in New Zealand.

“But he never looked out of place. Even playing with boys a year or two older than himself in U16 games, he still stood out. It was just where he fitted in.”

After finishing at Portadown College and fresh out of school he played briefly for the club again, before moving to top Belfast club Harlequins.

“He played another game for us four or five years ago as part of his rehabilitation after injury. But he just kept his head down and got stuck in. There was none of this ‘I am an international’ attitude.”

As a life member of Banbridge RFC and also an ambassador for the club, he can still be seen at the Rifle Park grounds on a regular basis.

And occasionally on Saturday mornings he can be seen cheering on his own son, carrying on the family tradition started by his grandfather.

RORY BEST FACTFILE

Birthday: August 15, 1982

Age: 33

Height: 5ft 11”

Weight: 242 lbs

Born: Craigavon

Clubs: Banbridge, Newcastle Falcons Academy, Belfast Harlequins

Ulster caps: 178

Ireland caps: 89

On the four occasions Best captained Ireland previously, they registered three wins