| Birth name | Simon Best | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 11 February 1978 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Craigavon, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 114 kg (17 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Portadown College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Newcastle University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Rory Best (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Simon Best (born 11 February 1978) is a former Irish rugby union rugby player. He played for Ulster and was club captain in Ulster's 2005/06 Celtic League winning season. Simon missed the final game of Ulster' successful campaign in 2005/06 due to a broken ankle sustained while playing against Llanelli Scarlets in the penultimate game of the season.
Simon is the brother of the former Ireland and Ulster hooker Rory Best. He was educated at Portadown College and has also represented Ireland at schools, U19, U21, U25 and A levels. He later studied Agriculture at Newcastle University.[1]
On 26 September 2007 Best was rushed to hospital in Bordeaux with a loss of feeling down his side. He was immediately pulled out of the Ireland World Cup side and returned home. On 25 February 2008, Best announced his retirement from rugby due to an irregular heartbeat. He stated he would no longer be able to sustain the high level of training that playing professional rugby required.