Ulster at the forefront of Best's mind

Best will hope to add to his 78 internationals caps when Ireland take on Italy on Saturday, as the GUINNESS PRO12 clubs enjoy a free weekend.

But while the 32-year-old's immediate attention is on fending off the competition to ensure he pulls on the No2 shirt in Rome this weekend, he acknowledges what can be achieved at the Kingspan Stadium this year will ultimately influence how 2015 pans out in an Emerald jersey.

"For me, you can get too preoccupied with how other people are playing, so I've just got to look at what I can control, and that's my form for Ulster," Best, who has made eight starts for Neil Doak's team this term, told the Belfast Telegraph.

"When you get a bit older you keep getting greedier and you want to win everything. It's no different.

"We will stay focused on the Six Nations first and whatever comes from that we will just look ahead to the World Cup."

Fifth-placed Ulster return to GUINNESS PRO12 action against Benetton Treviso on February 13, bidding to pick up where they left off a month ago when they recorded a 24-20 victory at Stadio Monigo.

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