Wales and Ospreys centre George North has announced that he will retire from international rugby following the conclusion of the ongoing Six Nations campaign.
The 31-year-old debuted for Wales in November 2010 at just 18 years of age - becoming the joint-third youngest player to represent his country - and has since earned 120 caps for the world's eighth-ranked team.
Only Alun Wyn Jones (158) and Gethin Jenkins (129) have made more appearances for Wales than North, who holds the honour of being his nations' most-capped men's back.
During his glittering 14-year international career, North has scored 47 tries - the second-most for Wales behind Shane Williams's 58 - while also sitting eighth in their all-time points charts with 235.
Along with Wyn Jones, Jenkins, Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones, the Ospreys man is just one of five Wales players to have appeared at four World Cup tournaments, and he was selected for two British & Irish Lions squads in 2013 and 2017.
❤️ George North will retire from international rugby following the weekend#DiolchGeorge
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 13, 2024
With another two tries to show from his time with the Lions - taking his total up to 49 - North is the current highest active international try-scorer in rugby union, but he announced on social media on Wednesday that the time had come for him to hang up the Wales jersey.
North played the full 80 minutes in Wales' Six Nations losses to England and Ireland in the second and third round respectively, and his final appearance will come in Saturday's finale against Italy at the Millennium Stadium.
"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," the 31-year-old said.
"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."
Wales head coach Warren Gatland paid his own tribute to North, reflecting on watching the Ospreys man as a fledgling player and labelling the centre as a "credit to himself".
© Reuters
"George has contributed hugely to Welsh rugby, in an incredible career starting as an 18-year-old," Gatland told the official Wales website. "The way that he burst onto the scene. I can remember seeing him play and thinking we need to cap this kid.
"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.
"George has been outstanding and a credit to himself. He can definitely hold his head high. He and his family and friends can be very proud of everything he has achieved.
"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."
North has been a part of four Six Nations-winning Wales squads - two of which saw his side clinch the Grand Slam and Triple Crown trophies in 2012 and 2019 - but Gatland's team are currently on course for the 2024 Wooden Spoon as they sit last in the table, having lost each of their opening four matches.
Ben Knapton
