Best sets sights on Test spot after Lions reprieve

Rory Best has gone from desolation to elation in just under four weeks.

Best was the shock Irish omission from Warren Gatland’s initial British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia, and he knew he hadn’t made the cut when the Ulster coaching staff pointedly refused to catch his eye during a training session that was taking place as Gatland was making his announcement.

He admits it was ‘the lowest of lows’ and the next 24 hours were a time for self-flagellation as a man who was a year ago considered a near-certainty for a starting spot in the Test side faced the prospect of not even being on the tour.