Skipper.

A teary-eyed Rory Best thanked  Joe Schmidt for “transforming the game“ in Ireland as he bid farewell to the Aviva Stadium with a hard-fought win over Wales yesterday.

Ireland’s most successful captain has enjoyed some pretty special moments at the Aviva over the last few years, with yesterday’s result right up there as it means Ireland will be ranked number one in the world for the first time in history on Monday.

Best has won Six Nations titles and even defeated the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium, but it’s the small things that he will remember above all else.

“I can still remember coming off the bench and coming down into the corner here into a scrum alongside my brother (Simon),” Best told RTÉ Sport after the game.

“Those are the things you remember, the little bits and pieces, the trips to the stadium on the bus, the moments after the games when you look around the stadium and everyone’s wrecked when you’ve given your all for this jersey.

“These moments are made special by your team by your family and by so many people.

“I told myself I wouldn’t get emotional, but this place has been unbelievably special for me over many, many years now. The support we got today has summed up the support we’ve had throughout my career. 

“It’s been unbelievably special to play for this country.”