Wales veteran George North became his country’s all-time leading scorer in the Six Nations after dotting down against France in the tournament’s final round.
North’s try against Les Bleus was his 46th for Wales and the British and Irish Lions moving him into the all-time top 10 try-scorers list in Test rugby.
He is now level with former All Blacks Christian Cullen, Joe Rokocoko and Julian Savea. He is also just one behind Irish great Brian O’Driscoll.
Closing in on Shane Williams
His try on the final day of the Six Nations saw him overtake Shane Williams as Wales’ leading try-scorer in the championship with 23 five-pointers.
However, North still has 14 to go to beat Williams’ all-time record for Wales.
“It has been a long road and a tough road, but it is something I am very proud and honoured to have achieved,” North said after breaking Williams’ Six Nations record.
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“Hopefully, there are a few more in me. I hope Shane is sweating, but there is a lot to go.”
Head coach Warren Gatland suggested that the match against France could be the final Six Nations games for “up to eight” members of the squad.
30-year-old North admitted that he treasures playing for Wales as he realises that anytime he puts on his country’s jersey could be his last.
“I am not sure if I make the cut or not, but we will see,” North said, looking ahead to what could be his fourth World Cup.
“Any time you put the jersey on, it could be your last game with performance, young boys coming through, injuries… so you have to take it with both hands.”
🙌 The moment George North became Wales' all-time leading try scorer in the #GuinnessSixNations going ahead of Shane Williams. #FRAvWAL pic.twitter.com/zPA3lhMcZk
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 18, 2023
Rugby World Cup
Wales have just three games left until the Rugby World Cup – against South Africa and back-to-back encounters England.
Gatland chopped and changed his squad throughout the Six Nations, and looking ahead to the World Cup and where they can improve, North outlined what Wales’ focus areas were.
He said: “The focus was going back to how we know we can play, that high-tempo, physical game, trying to get the ball around the park a bit more.
“There were glimpses of that in Italy, and we showed more glimpses, but there is more growth in us.
“The start of the Six Nations was unlike us, with new coaches coming in and a new ethos. The magical story would have been a Grand Slam, but reality hits.
“Ideally, we would have been fizzing through the tournament, but we have fought back.
“We go back to our clubs and work hard, and it’s straight back into the deep end with selection and (national training) camps for the World Cup.
“We haven’t had that conversation (about World Cup minimum targets), but after the last few weeks in the Six Nations and what has been well-documented (off-the-field issues), the boys will celebrate Taulupe (Faletau) on his 100th cap and Dillon (Lewis) his 50th – huge milestones – then we will review it all and focus on the World Cup.”
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