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rory in red

Rory Best is a 2013 British and Irish Lion and here's your proof

That was quick.

RORY BEST WAS, this evening, confirmed as a member of the British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia.

The call-up for the Ulster and Ireland hooker came after England’s Dylan Hartley was suspended for 11 weeks for verbally abusing referee Wayne Barnes in the Aviva Premiership Final on Saturday.

The Lions let Best, who was on the losing side in yesterday’s Pro12 Final, know the good news this afternoon and let the world know at 5:15pm. They were pretty quick at getting a snap of their newest squad member taken too:

Best looks good in Lions red. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

The Ulsterman will hook up with the rest of the Lions squad in London tomorrow before travelling with them to Hong Kong and, after an exhibition match against the Barbarians, onward to Australia.

In an interview with Ulster Rugby, Best commented, “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, it is hard to describe because it is the ultimate for a rugby player. To finally be selected makes playing professional rugby worthwhile.

All the lows that you get and the knocks and bumps, it more than makes up for them and for a few weeks ago when I thought that the chance had gone.”

Best’s teammate at Ulster, Stephen Ferris was delighted to hear of the call-up:

@StephenFerris6

Ireland interim head coach Les Kiss has made a swift decision on who will replace Best as captain for the two-Test tour to North America. The IRFU announced that Munster’s Peter O’Mahony will lead his country against the USA and Canada.

Rory Best receives Lions call-up as Dylan Hartley gets 11-week ban

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