Mark Best (rugby union)

Mark Best (born 1 April 1994) is an Irish Rugby union player

Mark Best

Birth name	Mark Best
Date of birth	(1994-04-01) 1 April 1994
Place of birth	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre/Fly-half Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2022– Belfast Harlequins Ballymena Ballynahinch () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2015–2017 2017–2020 2020–2022 Ulster Jersey Reds Doncaster Knights 11 47 0 (16) (25) (0) Correct as of 28 January 2021 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2012–2013 Ireland U18s () Correct as of 28 January 2021

He originally played for Belfast Harlequins in Division 2B in the All Ireland League. Best is a graduate of the Ulster Rugby Academy system and started the 2016/17 season on a development contract with the Ulster senior squad.[1][2] Best has been part of the Ulster set-up from under 18 level, at which age group he also played for Ireland.[3]

He was a regular feature in the Irish province's British and Irish Cup campaigns over two seasons and captaining Ulster 'A'.[4] He played domestic rugby for Ballymena in the All-Ireland League when not used by Ulster.[5]

On 3 May 2017, Best left Ireland to join Channel Island based Jersey Reds in the English RFU Championship from the 2017–18 season.[6] He made his first team debut for Jersey against Doncaster Knights in the Championship opener in September 2017.[7] On 2 June 2020, He left Jersey to join Championship rivals Doncaster Knights from the 2020–21 season.[8] He retired from professional rugby at the end of the 2022-23 season and returned to Northern Ireland, working as a building surveyor and playing and coaching at an amateur level with Ballynahinch.[9]