Simon Best to retire.

[Scrumstretcher]

Ireland prop Simon Best is poised to announce his retirement from all forms of rugby, BBC Sport understands.

A true gentleman of Ulster Rugby. Wish him well in all that he does.

[ColinM]

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Very sad news.

May you have good health and good fortune from here Simon, you'll be missed

[The Boo Radleys]

I am sure that I will not be the last person to say so, but Simon was a true gentlemen and ambasador for Ulster Rugby at at time when money means more than the shirt.

Thank you for all the good times spent watching you and your team all over the country and our best to you and all your family.

[Rooster]

All the best to the original Bestie have thought for a few months now that he would retire, health is far more important than the next game.

[shamalicious]

All the best to Simon and a huge thank you for being a great servant of Ulster. A real gent and hopefully it won't be the end of his involvement with rugby entirely.

[Neil F]

Sad, sad news indeed.

All the best for the future, Simon.

[Rooster]

Simon Best announces his retirement
25 February 2008, 2:49 pm
By Anne Perry
Ulster and Ireland prop Simon Best has announced his retirement from professional rugby following his most recent medical assessment.

Best was taken ill during the Rugby World Cup after suffering an episode of an irregular heart rhythm. While he was quickly out of any danger from the condition, he has been undergoing constant monitoring since the end of the tournament to determine if he would be able to resume training at the highest level.

Simon has had no further episodes and suffered no long-term effects and although the condition has not been attributed to his participation in rugby, his medical experts have advised against resuming the intense levels of training and playing required for a professional career in rugby union.

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 Magners 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 his condition.

Simon Best said today: “It is with great sadness that I am forced to retire from the game at this stage in my career. However, I have no regrets and feel immensely proud and privileged to have represented both Ulster and Ireland for the past 9 years. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with coaches, management and players that I have had the utmost respect for and have formed lifelong friendships with many. I would like to thank the Ulster and Ireland supporters and my friends and family for their loyalty and support throughout my career and during this difficult time. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the IRFU and their medical team for the extremely high standard of care that I have received. Finally, having grown up as a supporter of Ulster and Irish rugby I would like to wish the players and management of both squads all the very best for the rest of the season and the coming years, I will continue to support and follow their future successes with great interest.”

Commenting on the announcement, IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne Said, “On behalf of Irish Rugby, I would like to pass on our best wishes to Simon. Our relief at his recovery following his illness during the Rugby World Cup is tinged now with sadness at this news that he will no longer be able to continue to play. He has been a wonderful ambassador for both Ulster and Ireland in his time as a player and we hope that although he will no longer be on the field himself that he will continue to be involved in the game”.

Ireland Coach Eddie O’Sullivan said, “Simon has been an integral member of the Ireland squad since he won his first cap in 2003. He was an incredibly honest, talented and hard working player in every aspect of his participation in the game and a model professional. In addition to that, he was and still is an extremely popular guy with all the players and it is very unfortunate that his career has been cut short by this condition when he still had so much more to offer Irish Rugby. I would like to wish Simon and his family the best of luck for the future”.

Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Michael Reid said, "It is disappointing that Simon’s rugby career has come to a premature end however, I have no doubt it will be the start of a new and exciting chapter in his life. A hard and uncompromising prop forward on the field he has been the epitomy of the model professional off it and we look forward to seeing Simon regularly at Ravenhill cheering Rory and the rest of the boys on".

[Gemma]

Sad news, but like some have already said, health is far more important than the game, so best wishes to him for the future.

[GerryO']

I would echo what has been said so far. It's a sad day for Simon and Ulster, but probably a relief for all of his family that he is taking no chances.
What a good honest bloke Simon is, a genuine Ulsterman in every sense of the word.

[againstthehead]

Sad news indeed. All the Best for the future Simon. Many thanks for your your huge commitment shown to Ulster and Ireland.

[fermain]

Simon was a class player, and on more than one occasion led from the front. A true Ulsterman who played for the red hand. There is no finer example of a sportsman in this age. A real loss to us all. Good luck and fortune in the future. I hope you find a way to stay within the Ulster rugby family.

[bootlace]

Very sad news indeed,all the very best for the future.

[majordave]

sad loss to ulster and irish rugby but health indeed does come first. all the best for the future simon.

stand up for that ulsterman...

[ColinS]

Just gonna echo what's been said here. Sad to see him retire prematurely, but he's taken the right decision as health is more important.
Thanks for being a great servant to Ulster & Ireland, Simon, and all the best for the future!

[ding dong2u]

All the best to the Best ........ he'll be badly missed as a player and a leader for both Ulster and Ireland