A tough-tackling and uncompromising flanker, NEIL BEST adds considerable experience to the Ireland 'A' squad with his haul of 18 Ireland senior caps and over 100 Ulster caps.

A relative late comer to the game, he started his career with Belfast club Malone and really made his mark on the world stage as man-of-the-match in Ireland's win over Australia in November 2006.

The 29-year-old has seen his chances in the Irish senior squad curtailed recently but a move to English club Northampton Saints next season could see him back as a frontliner.