Rory Best: I’ll just be one of the leaders

Rory Best reported no deference from Ireland team-mates during his first day as captain at Six Nations camp just an uncharitable respect for his senior status.

“There was no special treatment, the usual slagging and bits and pieces; letting me know that it was unfair I got a room on my own but maybe, especially at my age, I shouldn’t be left on my own for too long,” Best said yesterday at the RBS 6 Nations launch in London.

The captain promised to be a guide to the younger squad members but said he was just one of a group of senior players providing the leadership.

“The way that I try to lead and the way I play with Ulster and Ireland in the past is going about my business the way I do and be there for the young guys; some of the news guys, especially Josh van der Flier. He asked about certain plays. Just to be there for those guys.

“It’s about the senior player group that leads and drives Ireland forward, that’s the big thing for us.

“I’m captain and I get the honour of coming over here (to London) for the day. The rest of the guys are the ones that help drive things.

“Over the past two years Paulie’s been a massive part of it as a leader but mostly as a player; people got behind that, the leadership group behind him kept pushing everyone on.”