Best who started playing for Ulster in the 2002/03 season has won over 100 caps for his province and has always been considered a crowd favourite and was named the URSC Player of the Year for 2006/07.

Matt Williams spoke of the expected departure earlier this week when he said:

“None of the departures have come as a great shock, obviously we are disappointed to have lost these Ulstermen but they had all informed me months ago of their plans” he continued to say "In some ways, the fact that players have made their own decisions to leave makes it easier for me as some players were going to have to go anyhow. The fact they have announced their plans so easy gives us a lot of time to get organised and I know they are still fully committed to the cause of Ulster for the next few months. “