Simon Best to retire.

[The Boo Radleys]

Note on the BBC for the Llanelli game there is already talk of 'a fitting victory to honour Simon Best'. Lets hope the team can rise to this and that UR can come up with something fitting in the period between now and Friday.

Ulster v Scarlets (Fri)

Date: Friday, 29 February
Kick-off: 1930 GMT
Venue: Ravenhill
Coverage: BBC Radio Ulster MW
Scarlets lock Vernon Cooper has been ruled out of Friday's Magners League trip to face Ulster at Ravenhill after breaking his right hand in training.

Fellow lock Adam Eustace (knee) and prop Ben Broster (hamstring) are close to a return but unlikely to feature.

Hooker Ken Owens is available after recovering from a lengthy knee injury.

Ulster will hope to find a fitting victory to honour their Ireland prop Simon Best, who retired this week from professional rugby on medical advice.

The 30-year-old, who has won 23 caps, was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm after being taken ill during the World Cup in France in September.

[Off the Top]

It would be very fitting if he was to present the jerseys on Friday night.

It is a great pity, Simon was just coming into his prime.

[Gary]

Simon has taken a wise decision, but a sad one nevertheless. He's one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet and like everyone else, I wish him, and his family, all the 'best' in the future.

[McPepper]

all the best for the future big man. Hope to see you in the Ulster coaching staff

[ColinS]

On BBC1 now.

[pwrmoore]

Ulster and Ireland will miss the big lad. But as many others have said his health is more important than a game.

Wishing Simon a very happy and healthy life away from the coal face. And many many thanks for all the pleasure you brought us over the past years.

[barney]

Simon will be sadly missed on the field. Best wishes for a long and successful future.

[browner]

Pretty much expected this.................good luck to him and the best of health for the future.

[moondance]

Sad to read the announcement of his retirement (though not surprised).

However, we could have been reading his obituary notice.

All the best for the future big man.

[bogboy]

When one closes another opens all the BEST for the future

[UlsterJock]

Joined in order to simply say "Best wishes for the future"

[LePaul]

I would echo all the thoughts and wishes of everyone above.

I wish him nothing but the best in everything that he does from here on in but I rather suspect that he will be less than a finger tip away.

Good luck to you Simon and a million thanks

[Ulsterfan1310]

Very sad to see him retire but of course his health is more important. All the best (!) Simon!

[Ithryn]

sad to see him retire prematurely he was a consistantly good player for ulster, all the best for his future career, though im sure he wont be far from ravenhill on match nights.

[darkside lightside]

shame to see him retiring so young.. all the best