Ulster Rugby: What awaits Rory Best in new Ulster general manager role?

When Best won the only medal of his club career in 2006, it was in a side captained by Australian Justin Harrison. Arguably the best provincial side he was a part of – the Ulster squad of 2013-14 – contained Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller, Jared Payne, John Afoa and Nick Williams, as well as Irish-qualified imports such as Tom Court and Dan Tuohy.

He should then, presumably, appreciate the value of a canny signing.

The new season at Ulster may only be four games old but we are already approaching the stage of the campaign when most business for the 2026-27 season will be conducted.

Best’s predecessor Bryn Cunningham appeared to have an impressive final spate of signings last year, inking Juarno Augustus and Angus Bell to deals. The former has been limited to 123 minutes so far for Ulster, while Wallaby prop Bell’s short-term pact begins only after his country’s autumn Tests next month.

There are still areas where the squad can improve and Best’s will be a new voice in the room when it comes to squad needs and talent evaluation.

When those targets have been established, whether from abroad or within Ireland, his standing in the game should prove beneficial in negotiations too.

In a similar vein, it would be folly for Ulster not to make the most of that name recognition when it comes to attracting new sponsors too.