Rory Best has committed his future to Ireland and Ulster.

The IRFU have handed the 31-year-old hooker a new two-year central contract that will keep him with Ulster up until June 2016.

Following a late call-up to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in the summer, Best has revealed that the support that he received when he was left out of the initial squad was a "massive factor" in his decision to stay in his native province and made him realize that the current Ulster set-up is "a community and a rugby family".

Best, who is recovering from a broken arm sustained against the All Blacks, said he was also determined to remain a key part of the Irish squad...

The news of the new deal will come as another boost to the IRFU as they attempt to tie down a number of their senior Irish internationals to new contracts.

The likes of Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip and Paul O'Connell are among the players that are still in negotiations over contract extensions.

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