The Ulsterman is finally getting the headlines
Rory Best has never been one to dominate the headlines, but the Ulster and Ireland front-row must surely be enjoying his rugby at the moment. In the last week he has captained his country for the first time in a Six Nations match, and this Saturday Rory will become the most capped Irish hooker of all time, with 59 caps, when he leads the team out to face English opposition at Twickenham.
Best has been one of the outstanding hookers in the northern hemisphere this season, following up a series of impressive performances at the World Cup with consistency for both club and country through the winter. But despite this run of good form and plaudits flying in from various quarters, Rory appears to have taken it all in his stride. You can be sure the Ulsterman won't be distracted.
The former Ulster captain showed his leadership credentials last weekend, no doubt reassuring Declan Kidney there is a viable long term replacement for O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll waiting in the wings (well the front-row in this case) when they no longer wear the green jersey. Best has a calming influence when he speaks but one gutsy decision early in the match proved his willingness to take risks whenever appropriate.
Trailing Scotland by six points to nil, Ireland won an attacking penalty inside the twenty-two. It was Bests first big decision as captain, instructing Sexton to kick for the corner rather than taking a shot at goal to reduce the deficit. It was a gamble which I amongst others felt was unnecessary at that early stage in the match. We watched and admitted our misjudgement as Rory scored from the resulting lineout. It had been a nervous start, but Ireland didn't look back from that point. Good decision, definitely.
Best has been a regular for Ireland under Declan Kidney, initially sharing the hooking duties with Flannery, before making the number two shirt his own with the Munster player plagued by injuries recently. Rory has always had a commendable energy on the pitch not typical of a front-row forward but it's since travelling to New Zealand in the autumn that we have seen Best improve in every aspect of his game.
In the loose Best does so much of the hard graft, you could be forgiven for thinking he wore six on the back of his jersey, whilst he has also been known to win his fair share of ball on the ground. You will also notice Best is regularly involved in holding the opponent and ball of the ground in the tackle attempting to force the turnover, a tactic which Ireland and Ulster have both used to good effect. Not only does it require brute upper body strength to hold the opponent up but it also requires an understanding of the correct body position and the tactical experience to know when to challenge in this way. Rory is amongst the best in this respect.
There's no point me claiming to be an expert on the scrum, watching the endless resets is a pet hate of mine as it will be for many of you. That said Rory Best is clearly a solid scrummager, and a pivotal part of the Ulster front-row alongside John Afoa. Ulsters scrum has grown into an integral part of their success this season. Big European fixtures at Ravenhill had previously hinged on the Ulster pack gaining parity at scrum time. Now the opposite is true, with Rory and Afoa in there it has become a major strength as evident in their dismantling of a Leicester Tigers pack including the mighty Castrogiovanni.
So what next for the Ulsterman? Best won't look any further ahead than England on Saturday, and rightly so. The English will have their tails up after an extraordinary match in Paris last weekend, and probably go into this Six Nations match against Ireland as favourites for the first time since Martin Johnson and co were playing. Ireland have won three on the bounce, and seven of the last eight in the Six Nations but a massive challenge lies ahead if Best is to lead his men to a fourth consecutive victory.
After that it's back to Belfast for Best, and a challenging but exciting close to the season. First up is a return to Pro12 action were Ulster need a strong run in if they are to make the end of season playoffs. However, in a few short weeks focus will then turn to a massive fixture on Easter Sunday as Ulster travel to Limerick for their Heineken Cup battle with Munster at Thomond Park. Rory Best, along with Ferris and Trimble from the Irish set up, will play a key role if Ulster are to progress.
Looking further ahead (perhaps too far), Rory would be wise to recharge his batteries during the summer break, 2012/13 could be a long season if he gets a call from the Lions selectors. What do you think? Has there been a better hooker from the home nations in this Six Nations championship?
@viscount_89
