Rory Best Reveals Incredible Sacrifice He Made To Win The 2014 Six Nations
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This is the kind of player you want captaining the British & Irish Lions.
Ireland captain Rory Best has revealed that he played the final block of Ireland’s victorious 2014 Six Nations game with a dislocated rib.
The Irish hooker’s rib was ‘popping in and out’ for the remaining games.
The Ulsterman refused to let it stop him however and went on to play in Ireland’s games against France and Italy, helping them lift the famous trophy.
“I remember the Championship win we had in 2014, I hurt my rib in training going into the last block of games,” Best told Press Association sport.
“And I played the last two games, Italy and France away, I had just unbelievable discomfort, the thing just kept almost popping in and out.
“As long as I feel it’s not going to be detrimental to the team or it’s not going to cause a long-term injury, and it’s not a risk, if it’s a pain thing, then I’d keep going.
“Look, as long as I feel there’s not going to be a moment when it comes to make a tackle and I can’t do it because of a problem, then I would be fairly comfortable that I’m not going to let anyone down.”
Best said he’s quietly proud of his durability and noted that the Irish players are well looked after and it’s no coincidence that they now have five centurions.
“It’s the little things I think that players will take and be proud of when they look back,” said Best.
“I’m definitely very proud of those 51 Six Nations caps for Ireland, and certainly the 50 in a row.
“I never set myself towards 50 in a row, but I was fairly aware that at one stage it was from 2007 onwards, I’d been on the pitch for every one.
“When you get to 2009, 2010, the number starts to become greater, and then you start to realise, ‘I’ve played in every Six Nations game since 2007’.
“I’ve been fairly lucky in terms of injuries that are ones that have been niggles rather than big problems.
“Those are the kinds of things maybe not many people know about, but that I’m very proud of. It shows consistency, and to play at the top level for that period of time.
“We are well looked after in Ireland, and we’re expected to perform with our provinces and in Tests, but along the way we get the odd weekend off mid-season, to refresh ourselves, which helps hugely.
“It’s no coincidence that Ireland now have five centurions.”
