George North: A Wales Legend

As George North steps out on the international stage for the last time today, we look back at some of his achievements. 

Backstory

George North burst on to the international stage in 2010 as an 18-year-old when he scored twice against South Africa on his debut at the Millennium Stadium. On that day, 13 November, he became the youngest player in almost 117 years to score a try on his debut for Wales – he was 18 years, 214 days, beating Tom Pearson, who was aged 18 years, 238 days when he scored against England in 1891.

He is the third youngest player to play for Wales behind his former Wales U18 team mate Tom Prydie and Norman Biggs. He is also third in line as Wales’ highest try scorer after Shane Williams (58) and Gareth Thomas (40).

His two tries against Nambia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup made him the youngest try scorer at the tournament – aged 19 years and 166 days – ahead of Australian Joe Roff. He won 20 caps for Wales as a teenager and became the first teenager in world rugby to score 10 Test tries. On 28 February, 2015, he became the youngest player to reach 50 caps when Wales played France (Wales 47 caps, Lions 3). He reached 50 caps for Wales on 29 August, 2015, in the World Cup warm-up win over Ireland in Dublin.

Achievements 

The Welsh centre has won 121 caps for Wales making him the third most capped player for the nation. In his time playing for Wales he has scored 47 tries which is in the top 10 highest try scorers of all time(8th). North has participated in 13 Six Nations, won 4 of them while 2 of them being Grand Slams. He has also won 3 test with the British & Irish Lions.

North currently plays for Ospreys, but started his career at Scarlets where he came through the academy. In 2013, he moved to Northampton Saints where he won the English Premiership. He then returned to Wales on a National Dual Contract with the Ospreys at the start of the 2018/19 season.