Inspirational Rory Best a worthy Test starter, says Ulster pal Iain Henderson

Ireland captain Rory Best can still stake his claim to a starting Test jersey for the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand, his friend and pack-mate Iain Henderson believes.

The veteran hooker, 34 years of age and with 103 Test caps for his country, was this morning bidding to make the most of his second start on this 2017 tour after England’s Jamie George passed his audition for the number two shirt against the All Blacks with an impressive performance against the Crusaders last Saturday.

Best is also vying with Welshman Ken Owens, the pre-tour favourite to get the nod from Lions head coach Warren Gatland, and the Irishman went into today’s game four of the tour against the Highlanders in Dunedin knowing he needed to put in a big shift in order to make his move for the opening Test on June 24.