Emotional Rory Best calls time on rugby career

Rory Best said 'it feels like the right time' as he announced his intention to retire from professional rugby.

The 36-year-old will call time on his career with the conclusion of the World Cup in autumn.

"I always wanted to go out on my terms and I feel like this is right for me now," said Best, holding back tears at an emotional press conference at Kingspan Stadium.

"It's so strange to be here after so many years. I feel I'm playing good rugby but you have to be realistic and fast-forward 12 months and think, will you be in the right place? Maybe. But there's also a bit of a 'maybe not' to that, and that's the hardest bit," said Best.

Best's retirement has been on the cards; in the 6 Nations campaign, he more or less confirmed that Japan would be his last outing for Ireland, but hadn't yet clarified his club situation.

"It's a bit of relief, as it's been a bit of a hot topic that usually starts off these press conferences. It's a difficult thing to come out and say. Even coming up here today, we said 'it's still not too late,' but it feels like the right time," said Best.

With the hooker nursing an ankle injury, it's not yet know if he's played his last game for Ulster. With a PRO14 quarter-final playoff with Connacht on the horizon, he's hoping to feature again.

"The injury is not too bad. I hope to make it back for the quarter-final. If not, you have to hope the squad perform the way we did last week to give ourselves every chance of a semi-final."