Northampton Saints today announced that Ireland international flanker Neil Best will, subject to a medical, be part of their squad from the start of next season.
28-year-old Best, renowned for his eye-catching all-action playing style, joins the Saints from Ulster on a two-year deal. He will arrive at Franklin’s Gardens during the summer.
Following a string of scintillating Heineken Cup performances Best was called into the Ireland squad to face the All Blacks in November 2005, the first of 18 caps. In his international career he has toured New Zealand and Australia (2006) and Argentina (2007) and was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad. Best also won the man of the match award when Ireland beat Australia in November 2006.
Best has been an Ulster regular since his debut in 2002 and has gone on to make 114 appearances and score 17 tries. He is a popular figure at Ravenhill and was the Ulster Rugby Supporters’ Club Player of the Season in 2006/07. Best also has a BSc in chemical engineering and a masters in polymer engineering to his name.
“Neil is a superb addition to our squad,” said Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder. “He has a strong physical presence on a rugby pitch and the skill to match. He also wants to improve as a player and as part of the team here at Northampton. All of these are attributes we look for in our players and Neil fits the part.”
“I spoke to Jim and Dorian, who are both down to earth and spoke frankly and honestly,” said Best. “They are also ambitious and the facilities at Northampton are outstanding. All of that sold it for me.
“I’ve played against English teams and I don’t have any problem with people who are bigger than me running at me. I enjoy that! The physical aspect will be different because it is so relentless but I’m looking forward to that.
“The standard of the competition is a step up from the Magners League and this is the perfect time in my career to take it to the next level.”
Best will be joining fellow Ulsterman Roger Wilson at the Saints next season and he says that it will be good to continue his career with the number 8.
“We started our careers together and I’ve played most of my games with him. I know how he plays and he knows how I play. But that means little when it comes to selection. Everybody’s up for selection so it doesn’t make any difference until the team has actually been picked.”
