ULSTER HOOKER RORY Best this afternoon became the latest player to commit his future to an Irish province.

Best, who has won 70 caps for Ireland, was one of a group of internationals whose contract ran out this summer and naturally speculation arose that he may leave.

However, the 31-year-old today confirmed that he will remain with his current province until 2016:

“The support that I received when I missed out on the initial Lions squad was a massive factor in me making the decision to stay,” said Best in today’s statement.

“That made me feel very special and underlined to me that Ulster is more than a team, it is a community and a rugby family. I want to keep playing for Ireland for as long as I can and to try and win a few more things in the green jersey.”

The hooker is currently sidelined with a fractured arm sustained early in Ireland’s narrow loss to New Zealand.  Despite his injury in that game, Best ended his match taking part in three phases and even joining in a ruck before leaving the field with a makeshift sling.

So while IRFU CEO Philip Browne said he was “delighted” to secure Best’s services for a further two years,  it was little wonder that his director of rugby David Humphreys lauded his commitment:

“Rory Best is the cornerstone of the Ulster Rugby team and leads by example,” said Humphreys.

“You would struggle to find anyone who is more committed on the rugby field, nor someone who is more passionate about playing for his Province.”

Best’s signature can be added to the contracts agreed with Conor Murray and Donnacha Ryan in recent weeks while the weeks tick down on the deals of players such as Paul O’Connell, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip.

VIDEO: Leinster Women beat Munster to claim interpro title

Reports link Munster to former All Black Andrew Hore