On Wednesday 7th May at the 12th Hibernia College IRUPA Rugby Players’ Awards, former Ireland and Ulster prop Simon Best will become the 14th player to be inducted into the BNY Mellon IRUPA Hall of Fame. Simon will join other greats such as Denis Hickie, John Hayes, Anthony Foley, David Humphreys and Keith Wood.
On Wednesday 7th May at the 12th Hibernia College IRUPA Rugby Players’ Awards, former Ireland and Ulster prop Simon Best will become the 14th player to be inducted into the IRUPA Hall of Fame. Simon will join other greats such as Denis Hickie, John Hayes, Anthony Foley, David Humphreys and Keith Wood.
Best has represented and captained Ulster, Ireland A and Ireland in a career that also saw him capped at international level at schools, U19, U21 and U23 level. Hailing from Poyntzpass in Co. Armagh and educated at Portadown College and Newcastle University, he began his professional rugby career in 1996 on a semi-professional basis with Newcastle Falcons RFC before joining Ulster in 1999. In 2005 he took up the role of Ulster Rugby Captain, a position he held for two years, leading the team to the Magner’s League title in 2005/06.
He won his first senior Ireland cap as a replacement against Tonga in June 2003 and made his first start the following August in the Rugby World Cup warm up game against Wales. He was subsequently selected in the 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. He remained part of the Ireland squad for the next four years, scoring his first and only try for Ireland against Japan in the first test of the tour in 2005. He captained Ireland in two tests during their tour to Argentina in 2007 and was also selected for his second Rugby World Cup tournament where he made three appearances before being ruled out due to a heart condition which ultimately saw his retirement from the game.
On hearing of his induction Simon said: “I am extremely honoured to accept this Award and am thrilled to be inducted into the IRUPA Hall of Fame alongside some of Ireland’s greatest rugby players”.
Omar Hassanein, CEO, IRUPA, commented, “IRUPA is honoured to welcome Simon into the BNY Mellon IRUPA Hall of Fame, taking his place amongst some of the greats of the game in Ireland. Simon’s commitment to Ulster and Irish rugby has been immense and such is his passion for the game that he continues to contribute to IRUPA through his involvement in establishing our Past Player Alumni”.
On Wednesday 7th May at the 12th Hibernia College IRUPA Rugby Players’ Awards, former Ireland and Ulster prop Simon Best will become the 14th player to be inducted into the IRUPA Hall of Fame. Simon will join other greats such as Denis Hickie, John Hayes, Anthony Foley, David Humphreys and Keith Wood.
Best has represented and captained Ulster, Ireland A and Ireland in a career that also saw him capped at international level at schools, U19, U21 and U23 level. Hailing from Poyntzpass in Co. Armagh and educated at Portadown College and Newcastle University, he began his professional rugby career in 1996 on a semi-professional basis with Newcastle Falcons RFC before joining Ulster in 1999. In 2005 he took up the role of Ulster Rugby Captain, a position he held for two years, leading the team to the Magner’s League title in 2005/06.
He won his first senior Ireland cap as a replacement against Tonga in June 2003 and made his first start the following August in the Rugby World Cup warm up game against Wales. He was subsequently selected in the 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. He remained part of the Ireland squad for the next four years, scoring his first and only try for Ireland against Japan in the first test of the tour in 2005. He captained Ireland in two tests during their tour to Argentina in 2007 and was also selected for his second Rugby World Cup tournament where he made three appearances before being ruled out due to a heart condition which ultimately saw his retirement from the game.
On hearing of his induction Simon said: “I am extremely honoured to accept this Award and am thrilled to be inducted into the IRUPA Hall of Fame alongside some of Ireland’s greatest rugby players”.
Omar Hassanein, CEO, IRUPA, commented, “IRUPA is honoured to welcome Simon into the BNY Mellon IRUPA Hall of Fame, taking his place amongst some of the greats of the game in Ireland. Simon’s commitment to Ulster and Irish rugby has been immense and such is his passion for the game that he continues to contribute to IRUPA through his involvement in establishing our Past Player Alumni”.