Character witness.

Rory Best has spoken out for the first time in relation to attending the Stuart Jackson and Paddy Jackson trial during the week.

The Ireland captain was in attendance on Wednesday at Belfast Crown Court for day three of the case, along with Ulster and Ireland teammates Iain Henderson and Craig Gilroy.

Best initially refused to comment when quizzed, as did his head coach when he was asked if he approved.

The hooker said it was a day off and that they don’t need permission from Schmidt and the Irish coaching team. Best says he was a character witness and it was important he got both sides of the story.

“We sign out on a Tuesday night and Wednesday is a day off, so we don’t need permission to do stuff in our own time.

“The reason I was there is because I am on record as a character witness. It was important I got both sides of the story.”