Best intentions: A profile of Ireland's captain
Like it or not, the Irish rugby captain’s personal struggles mirror the challenge the entire squad now faces. For him, for them, the fear is that the World Cup has arrived 12 months too late
Factfile
Name: Rory Best
Age:37
Appearance: calm, unflustered exterior belying a fiercely competitive streak
Newsworthiness: the Ireland captain is leading his team to the Rugby World Cup in Japan before hanging up his boots for good
Imagine what it was like to be Rory Best, rugby fanatic, 23 years old, standing on the sideline at Lansdowne Road, hearing the words: “Get stripped, Best, you’re going on.” Imagine that sense of anticipation, a lifetime’s ...
