November.

Ireland and Ulster captain Rory Best has announced he will make a decision on his future in rugby following Ireland’s November international series.

Best recently signed a deal with the IRFU that brings him up to the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but with the hooker set to turn 37 next year, many have predicted this coming season may be his last.

The veteran says Ulster as a club means a lot to him, and he wants to ensure he gives the province plenty of time to find a replacement. Although he did not rule out signing an extension.

“I think I’ll make a decision on that in due course,” Best told the Belfast Telegraph

“It’ll not be something that I’ll leave until the last minute because if it is my last season, the club means too much to me to do something in the 11th hour and say ‘that’s it for me’ and leave them no time to replace me.

“We’re at the stage now where I’m contracted to the end of the World Cup and a big focus of mine is going to be getting back, getting fit, getting rid of the injuries and the niggles, and focusing on this (first) part of the season with Ulster, and then the autumn internationals, and then we’ll maybe sit down and have a look at it.

“I’ll have played PRO14, I’ll have played Europe and I’ll have played international so we’ll see how the body is holding up.

“If it’s to be another 12 months, 16 or 18 months we’ll make a decision then, and that’s obviously even if there is anything offered post World Cup if we do want it. Where I’ll end up afterwards, we’ll wait and see.”

Head coach Joe Schmidt has also previously stated he will also make a decision on his future following Ireland’s November international series, with his contract expiring at the same time as Best’s.