Simon Best

{{Short description|Ireland international rugby union player}}

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{{EngvarB|date=March 2020}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Simon Best

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Simon Best

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1978|2|11}}

| birth_place = Craigavon, Northern Ireland

| height = {{height|m=1.85}}

| weight = {{convert|114|kg|stlb}}

| ru_currentteam =

| ru_currentposition = Prop

| position = Prop

| amatyears1 =

| amatteam1 = Banbridge

| ru_amupdate =

| years1 = 1999-2008

| clubs1 = Ulster

| apps1 = 118

| points1 = 25

| ru_clubupdate =

| repyears1 = 2005-06

| repyears2 = 2003-08

| repteam1 = Ireland A

| repteam2 = Ireland

| repcaps1 = 7

| repcaps2 = 23

| reppoints1 = 5

| reppoints2 = 5

| ru_ntupdate =

| school = Portadown College

| university = Newcastle University

| relatives = Rory Best (brother)

}}

Simon Best (born 11 February 1978) is an Irish former rugby union player. He played for Ulster and was club captain in Ulster's 2005–06 Celtic League winning season. Best missed the final game of Ulster's successful campaign in 2005/06 due to injury.

Best is the brother of the former Ireland and Ulster hooker Rory Best. He was educated at Portadown College and has also represented Ireland at schools, U19, U21, U25 and A levels. He studied Agriculture at Newcastle University.[http://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/arches/page.htm?alumvita-simon-best-rugby-hero Arches Online – Alumni – Newcastle University] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518035412/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/arches/page.htm?alumvita-simon-best-rugby-hero |date=2011-05-18 }}

On 26 September 2007 Best was rushed to hospital in Bordeaux with a loss of feeling down his side. He was immediately pulled out of the Ireland World Cup side and returned home. On 25 February 2008, Best announced his retirement from rugby due to an irregular heartbeat. He stated he would no longer be able to sustain the high level of training that playing professional rugby required.