British & Irish Lions hooker Rory Best insists he will be cheering on Leinster in Europe this weekend with the good of Irish rugby on his mind.
While Best and his Ulster teammates have the forthcoming weekend off, Leinster are set to take on all-conquering Toulon in Europe.
But rather than hope Irish rivals Leinster trip up on the European stage, Best believes a victory would be a real feather in the cap for international team-mates such as Dave Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald.
"We hope they do well," Best, played five games during the British & Irish Lions’ 2013 tour to Australia, told the Belfast Telegraph.
"Firstly, you want guys you play with in the national team to do well and that is good for Irish rugby.
"I also think it is important for the league that we have somebody in the (European) final."
Ulster have had to put in the hard yards on the training pitch this weekend in order to preserve their sharpness.
And Best does, though, admit there will be a little bit of envy when his teammates are reduced to a watching brief at the weekend.
"You want to play every week," he added. "Nobody wants to do these pre-season weeks in the middle of the season and it will be frustrating sitting watching Leinster play in Sunday's European semi-final, but that is the way it is."
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