Former Ireland captain Rory Best is relishing “being on the other side of the camera” as part of a new Ulster Rugby Show on BBC Northern Ireland this week.
The weekly programme, which will be aired for the first time on BBC Two NI on Thursday night at 10pm, is fronted by presenter Gavin Andrews.
And Best, who won 124 caps for Ireland and made 218 appearances for Ulster, will join former international and club teammate Tommy Bowe as expert analysts.
The show, which will also be available on BBC iPlayer, will offer insight and take a light-hearted look at the latest talking points around Ulster and the new United Rugby Championship.
“I am really looking forward to being on the other side of the camera,” said Best ahead of Ulster's opening URC fixture at home to Glasgow on Friday night.
“I hope we can bring something of what we learned as players to the TV studio and that through our analysis we can help explain how games are won and lost.
“It is going to be an exciting season with the new United Rugby Championship competition and the introduction of the big four South African teams.”
Included on this week’s show is an exclusive interview with Ulster captain Iain Henderson who discussed his Lions summer and ambitions for the new campaign.
Fellow analyst Bowe, who played for Ulster 168 times and scored 30 tries in 69 caps for Ireland, said: “Over the course of this season it is going to be really interesting to speak with the current group of players and to see what motivates them to perform for their province.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring fans into the home of Ulster Rugby, to see a top professional team up close and share a few stories with some of my former teammates.”
Presenter Gavin Andrews is looking forward to inviting special guests and players to the show's Kingspan Stadium studio for some rugby discussion and a look at key events on and off the pitch.
“To be part of the Ulster Rugby Show alongside two Ulster Rugby greats is an exciting opportunity,” he said.
“We’re going to take a fun and informative look at the United Rugby Championship and get to know some players and characters along the way.”
Best and Bowe are also part of BBC Northern Ireland’s live coverage of the URC, with the Beeb's first game the visit of Benetton to Kingspan Stadium on Friday October 8.
