George North to retire from playing for Wales after Six Nations
George North has announced that he will retire from international rugby after Saturday’s Six Nations match against Italy.
North, who has won 120 caps, had been recalled to the Wales team for what is a wooden-spoon decider. Writing on X, he said: “I’ve decided that the game on Saturday will bring my international career to an end. After 14 years it feels like now is the right time to step away. I have loved and cherished every second in a Welsh shirt and been able to play alongside some fantastic teammates.
“I’ve been very lucky to have lived my dream. I’m excited for the next chapter. Thank you all for your ­support over the years. Diolch.”
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North is third on the all-time list of men’s most capped players behind Alun Wyn Jones (158) and Gethin Jenkins (129). The 31-year-old is also second on the list of all-time men’s try scorers for Wales with 47, behind Shane Williams on 58.
“It has not been an easy decision for me at all,” an emotional North said at Wales’s training base, pausing to regather himself on several occasions during a 20-minute press ­conference that followed his announcement on social media. “It is the best thing for me and my ­family and the sacrifice everyone has to make.
“I didn’t think this day would come – I wished this day would never come – but for me it is about being able to go out on my terms and being able to enjoy it like I have for every second of the last 14 years. I am going to use this week and Saturday to really take it all in and to live my dream again one more time.”
Warren Gatland, Wales’ head coach, said: “George has contributed hugely to Welsh rugby, in an incredible career starting as an 18-year-old. The way that he burst onto the scene. I can remember seeing him play and thinking we need to cap this kid.
And that’s me 😘 pic.twitter.com/qFRrhA2wHK
— George North (@George_North) March 13, 2024
“He’s been incredible as a rugby player, but I think the most important thing is how he’s contributed to the squad as a person over the years. How positive and encouraging he’s been within and around the group, things that people wouldn’t have seen in terms of what he’s organised off the field. I look forward to watching George play at Principality Stadium one final time in a red jersey on Saturday and I hope everyone will join me in celebrating him. Diolch George.”
Wales face Italy having lost all four games in the Six Nations to date, including a 45-24 home defeat to France on Sunday, and Gatland has decided to abandon his experiment of moving Dafydd ­Jenkins to the back row as he returns to lock for the visit of Italy.
Jenkins is back in the second row to partner Adam Beard, while North and Nick Tompkins, surprising exclusions for the game against France, come in for Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin respectively.
The other changes to the starting line-up see the flanker Alex Mann replace the lock Will Rowlands to allow Jenkins to make his switch, while the prop Dillon Lewis comes in for Keiron Assiratti in the front row. The hooker Elliot Dee also retains his place having been a late replacement for the injured Ryan Elias at the weekend. PA Media
Wales team C Winnett; J Adams, G North, N Tompkins, R Dyer; Costelow, T Williams; G Thomas, E Dee, D Lewis, D Jenkins (capt), A Beard, A Mann, T Reffell, A Wainwright Replacements E Lloyd, K Mathias, H O’Connor, W Rowlands, M Martin, K Hardy, I Lloyd, M Grady