My lungs were on the floor and my hamstring tore towards the end of the first half.“I thought to myself ‘it’s not too bad, I’ll plod on’. “There was nothing I could do. He's achieved great things in the game, but it's one of his lows that is pushing him forwardGet the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inboxGeorge North has revealed the motivation that is keeping him going at Test level.The 28-year-old winger has already achieved so much for Wales and the British and Irish Lions - with a remarkable 98 Test caps to his name.Broken down, that's an astounding 95 for Wales and a further three Test caps for the Lions - all won against Australia in 2013.It's only a matter of time before North reaches a century of caps - but it's the fact he hasn't already done so that is driving him on to achieve more in the international game.Because, for North, the abiding memory of his travels with the Lions isn't any of his match-winning salvos in 2013, but rather a tour-ending injury in a mid-week game during the 2017 tour of New Zealand that ended any hopes of adding to his tally of Lions Test caps. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Everything was hanging on. George Philip North (born 13 April 1992) is a Welsh professional He scored a late try as Wales beat Ireland 23–21 in the opening game of the On 22 June in Brisbane, North scored the first Lions try vs Australia; a run from inside his own 10-metre line beating four players.On 29 June 2013, North carried out a 'fireman's lift' manoeuvre on Australia's On 6 July 2013, in Sydney, North scored his 14th international try and his second Lions Test try as the Lions sealed a 2–1 series win over Australia with a 41–16 victory. The winger was selected in the Wales squad for the After heavy criticism from his coaches and the media in 2017, North scored three tries in the 2017 Six Nations, one against Italy on 5 February and a double against Ireland on 10 March, becoming the joint-highest try scorer of the tournament with seven other players. “That still fuels me today, the feeling I had,” North told The frustration caused by that 2017 tour, where North was up against his own fitness as well as the best wingers British and Irish rugby can offer, resulted in North coming back to Wales in order to further his career moving forward.Within a few months, a return had been announced - with North eventually joining the Ospreys the following year.And he hopes that coming home to play his club rugby in Wales will help his Lions hopes.“In a word, yes, I’d love to tour South Africa next summer,” he said.“Obviously you’ve got to be playing your best rugby but coming back to Wales and feeling like me again - and playing like me again towards the end of the Six Nations - I want to be in those (selection) conversations.“I’ve been on two very different tours; 2013 was incredible, 2017, physically but also mentally, was a lot harder.”Having been injured shortly before flying out to New Zealand in 2017, North spent the tour largely playing catch up.After the first Test came too soon, he was given a chance to impress in a midweek fixtures against the Hurricanes.It didn't go to plan. Ourexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. After New Zealand winger After missing the 2017 end-of-year tests due to injury, North was included in the Welsh squad for the North's impressive return to form following his move back to Wales meant that he was an automatic choice for Wales' In June 2019 North married his long-term partner, the Olympic cyclist First of all, an early injury to centre Robbie Henshaw forced him to sacrifice his Test audition on the wing to cover midfield.Yet, despite that, he scored a well-taken try and things were looking up - right up until he ripped his hamstring.“My body just gave out,” he said.
His two tries against Ireland bought his career tally to 32, making him the fourth highest try scorer in Welsh history. The 28-year-old winger has already achieved so much for Wales and the British and Irish Lions - with a …
Got to half-time, got strapped up, came back out for the second half and did a proper job of it.“I thought, ‘well if this is my last time in a Lions jersey I want to give it everything until I can’t walk’ - which sounds heroic but then when you tear your hamstring you can’t walk!”When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time. George North has revealed the motivation that is keeping him going at Test level. Before his international call-up, North had played six matches for the On 9 April 2013 it was confirmed that North would sign for He scored his first Northampton Saints try against North scored his 150th point for Saints with a try against After an impressive start to the 2010 season, in October 2010, he was selected to the 33-man squad for the Autumn international series.North started on the right wing in Wales' 22–10 win over After the World Cup, North continued in his place as a regular starter for Wales.