Mark Best (rugby union)

Mark Best
Birth nameMark Best
Date of birth (1994-04-01) 1 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birthBelfast, Northern Ireland
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight95 kg (209 lb; 14 st 13 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre/Fly-half
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Belfast Harlequins ()
Ballymena ()
2022– Ballynahinch ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2017 Ulster 11 (16)
2017–2020 Jersey Reds 47 (25)
2020–2022 Doncaster Knights 0 (0)
Correct as of 28 January 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2013 Ireland U18s
Correct as of 28 January 2021

Mark Best (born 1 April 1994) is an Irish Rugby union player

He originally played for Belfast Harlequins in Division 2B in the All Ireland League. Best is a graduate of the Ulster Rugby Academy system and started the 2016/17 season on a development contract with the Ulster senior squad.[1][2] Best has been part of the Ulster set-up from under 18 level, at which age group he also played for Ireland.[3]

He was a regular feature in the Irish province's British and Irish Cup campaigns over two seasons and captaining Ulster 'A'.[4] He played domestic rugby for Ballymena in the All-Ireland League when not used by Ulster.[5]

On 3 May 2017, Best left Ireland to join Channel Island based Jersey Reds in the English RFU Championship from the 2017–18 season.[6] He made his first team debut for Jersey against Doncaster Knights in the Championship opener in September 2017.[7] On 2 June 2020, He left Jersey to join Championship rivals Doncaster Knights from the 2020–21 season.[8] He retired from professional rugby at the end of the 2022-23 season and returned to Northern Ireland, working as a building surveyor and playing and coaching at an amateur level with Ballynahinch.[9]

References

  1. ^ "CONGRATULATIONS TO MALONE PLAYERS SELECTED FOR ULSTER U20". Malone RFC. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Mark Best on Jersey, Doncaster and the Championship". Talking Rugby Union. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Methody looks to be in formidable form". The Irish Times. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Best is raring to bounce back in wake of horror tackle". Belfast Telegraph. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Ballymena Match Report". Ballymena Rugby Club. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Jersey Reds: Matt Rogerson, Mark Best and Rory Bartle join Championship side". BBC Sport. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Championship: Jersey Reds 24-26 Doncaster Knights". BBC Sport. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Doncaster Knights sign Jersey Reds centre Mark Best". Doncaster Free Press. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  9. ^ Jonathan Bradley, "English rugby’s financial woes means good Irish players will miss out on pro chances: Mark Best", Belfast Telegraph, 29 September 2023


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