Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, George North played for Wales against Barbarians in November 2023
ByGareth GriffithsBBC Sport Wales- Published1 hour ago
George North will have one more opportunity to grace the rugby field this weekend when he lines up for the Barbarians against Wales.
For a man who scored 47 tries in 121 internationals for his country, it will take some reconciliation that his final professional game will be in the black and white Baa-Baas jersey against the nation he served with such distinction for 14 years.
If it will be challenging for the man himself, who announced in April he will retire at the end of this season, North says it has been a particular struggle trying to explain the situation to his two sons, Jac and Tomi.
"I thought I was finished and then this Barbarians opportunity came along," the 34-year-old back told the Scrum V podcast.
"It was funny having a conversation with my two boys trying to explain that daddy's going to play rugby again.
"They were 'that's good' but then I was saying it was against Wales. They were like 'no daddy, that's not what do you do, you play for Wales'.
"I said I played for Wales, and I was lucky to do that, but now I am playing against them. I'm just hoping we can get a couple of small Barbarians jerseys quickly for them."
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North says the chance for one final appearance was something he could not turn down, with the game taking place at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday (14:00 BST).
"It's put a smile on my face, it has given me a bit of a warm, fuzzy feeling," said North.
"I got the phone call asking if I fancied it and I am so excited for this week.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play for the Barbarians, so to be invited now, for a game at Twickenham against Wales, is incredible.
"What an amazing opportunity, to have the honour of playing for the Baa-Baas, but to play against Wales, for one more dance, is amazing. If you wrote it perfectly, it would be in Cardiff, but I will take this."
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Hoping for a fonder farewell
North, who started life as a wing before switching to centre, did have a Wales farewell in Cardiff two years ago, but it is fair to say it did not go according to plan.
He called time on his international career in 2024 having won 121 caps and scored 47 tries for his country, helping Wales win four Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams and reaching two World Cup semi-finals.
His Wales finale came in the Six Nations game against Italy, but Warren Gatland's side lost the game to complete a tournament clean sweep of defeats.
Worse still, North was forced off in the game and left the Principality Stadium on crutches after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
The injury ruled him out for almost 10 months and meant his new club career in France at Provence was delayed.
"That was a tough one to swallow and I reckon I'm still processing that somewhere deep inside," said North.
"Part of my decision to finish internationally was that it was my choice.
"It had been a long journey that I loved every second of. The opportunity to do it at home in front of a home crowd was important to me, and having my family and friends there.
"Then inevitably, bam, my Achilles goes, what are the chances?
"That was tough. To finish like I did was was not the fairytale ending I wanted, but that is the business we work in with injuries.
"To get this opportunity now to properly walk away, as my final bow so to speak, is special."
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Coming to terms with hanging up the boots
North deserves his farewell given that he will go down as one of Wales' modern-day greats.
From the moment he scored two tries on his international debut as an 18-year-old in 2010, against South Africa who had star wing Bryan Habana in his pomp, North was a force on the international stage for more than a decade.
As well as his Wales exploits, he toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017, playing three Tests and scoring two brilliant tries in the series win against Australia.
After club stints with Scarlets, Northampton Saints and Ospreys, he has spent the past two seasons playing for Provence, in the highly competitive second tier of French rugby.
Now North says he is coming to terms with the prospect of retirement.
"It's basically been the biggest chunk of my life that I have loved and cherished," said North.
"It's taken a lot out of me, but given me more than I could ever ask. The opportunities, the people, the friendships, the honour that it's given me and my family.
"It was the best part of me for a very long time and now my wife [Becky] and children are clearly the best part of me.
"I think I am in a good spot now. When I have a proper stop, I'm sure there'll be stuff to work through then. A lot of my mates that are retired say it takes time.
"You will realise that you wake up and you don't have to put yourself in a hole when you go training. You can just train to keep the beer off or you can just train socially rather than going every day."
North says he has been "overwhelmed" by the messages he has received since he announced he was finishing.
"It turns out I'm not a half-bad bloke and maybe did a half-decent job on the field," said North.
"It's been such an honour and privilege for me to to play for Wales and to have the career I have had. I wouldn't change it for the world."
So how would North like to be remembered?
"It's a weird question," he said.
"I'd like to be remembered as someone that gave his all, loved every second and did it with a smile."
