Mark Best (born 1 April 1994) is an Irish Rugby union player
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| Birth name | Mark Best | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 1 April 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (14 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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He originally played for Belfast Harlequins in Division 2B in the All Ireland League. Best is a graduate of the Ulster Rugby Academy system and started the 2016/17 season on a development contract with the Ulster senior squad.[1][2] Best has been part of the Ulster set-up from under 18 level, at which age group he also played for Ireland.[3]
He was a regular feature in the Irish province's British and Irish Cup campaigns over two seasons and captaining Ulster 'A'.[4] He played domestic rugby for Ballymena in the All-Ireland League when not used by Ulster.[5]
On 3 May 2017, Best left Ireland to join Channel Island based Jersey Reds in the English RFU Championship from the 2017–18 season.[6] He made his first team debut for Jersey against Doncaster Knights in the Championship opener in September 2017.[7] On 2 June 2020, He left Jersey to join Championship rivals Doncaster Knights from the 2020–21 season.[8] He retired from professional rugby at the end of the 2022-23 season and returned to Northern Ireland, working as a building surveyor and playing and coaching at an amateur level with Ballynahinch.[9]
References
edit- ^ "CONGRATULATIONS TO MALONE PLAYERS SELECTED FOR ULSTER U20". Malone RFC. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Mark Best on Jersey, Doncaster and the Championship". Talking Rugby Union. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Methody looks to be in formidable form". The Irish Times. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Best is raring to bounce back in wake of horror tackle". Belfast Telegraph. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Ballymena Match Report". Ballymena Rugby Club. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Jersey Reds: Matt Rogerson, Mark Best and Rory Bartle join Championship side". BBC Sport. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Championship: Jersey Reds 24-26 Doncaster Knights". BBC Sport. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Doncaster Knights sign Jersey Reds centre Mark Best". Doncaster Free Press. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Jonathan Bradley, "English rugby’s financial woes means good Irish players will miss out on pro chances: Mark Best", Belfast Telegraph, 29 September 2023
External links
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