George North facts for kids
North representing Scarlets during the Pro12
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| Full name | George Philip North | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 13 April 1992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | King's Lynn, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 114 kg (251 lb; 17 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Llandovery College Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern |
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| University | Bangor University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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George Philip North (born 13 April 1992) is a professional rugby union player. He plays as a centre for the Pro D2 club Provence Rugby. George was born in England, but he played for the Wales international team from 2010 to 2024. He also played for the British and Irish Lions on two tours. Many people consider him one of the best rugby players of his time.
George started his professional career with the Scarlets team. Later, he moved to England to play for the Northampton Saints. He made history in Welsh rugby by being the youngest player to score a try in his first game, at just 18 years old. George is also one of the top try-scorers in international rugby matches. He holds the record for the most tries scored by any active international player.
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George North's Early Life
George North was born in 1992 in King's Lynn, England. His father is English, and his mother is from Anglesey, Wales. When George was two years old, his family moved to Anglesey. He can speak Welsh very well. George went to school at Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern and later at Llandovery College.
As a young player, George played for several local rugby clubs. These included Llangefni, Pwllheli, Rhyl, and Caernarfon. He also played for the North Wales Under-16s team.
George North's Club Career
Before playing for his country, George North played six matches for the Scarlets first team. An injury limited him from playing more games.
In April 2013, it was announced that George would join Northampton Saints in the English Premiership. The Welsh Rugby Union had said that Scarlets tried to sell George to French clubs, but he chose to stay in the UK.
George scored his first try for Northampton Saints against Sale Sharks. He also scored his first Heineken Cup try for Saints against Leinster Rugby in December. He helped Northampton win the Premiership final against Saracens.
In September 2016, George scored his 150th point for Saints with a try against Exeter Chiefs. He also helped Saints get a spot in the European Rugby Champions Cup for the 2017–18 season. They won against Connacht Rugby and Stade Francais in the play-off games.
In November 2017, the Welsh Rugby Union announced that George would sign a special contract. This contract meant he would return to play for a Welsh team after his contract with Northampton Saints ended in 2018. In April 2018, it was confirmed that George would join the Ospreys team for the 2018–19 season.
In December 2023, George announced he would leave the Ospreys after the 2024 season. He signed a two-year contract to play for Provence Rugby, a team in the second division of French rugby. Unfortunately, he injured his Achilles tendon in his last game for Wales. He did not play rugby again until January 2025, when he made his debut for Provence.
George North's International Career
George North has had a long and successful career playing for his country, Wales, and for the British & Irish Lions.
Playing for Wales
Early Years (2010–2013)
After a great start to the 2010 season, George was chosen for the Wales squad in October 2010. On 11 November 2010, he was named to play against South Africa. This made him one of the youngest players ever to play for Wales.
In his first international game on 13 November 2010, George scored two tries for Wales. This was against the world champions, South Africa, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Wales lost the game 29–25, but George set new records:
- George, at 18 years old, became the youngest player to score a try in his first game for Wales.
- He also became the youngest player to score two tries against a major rugby nation.
After his first international games in 2010, George became a regular player for Wales. He didn't play much in the 2011 Six Nations at first. But in the final weekend, he got to start against France.
After the World Cup, George continued to be a key player for Wales. He scored a try when Wales beat Ireland 23–21 in the first game of the 2012 Six Nations. He played in all the remaining matches as Wales won their first Grand Slam since 2008. He then played every minute of the 2013 Six Nations. He scored the only try when Wales won against France. Wales needed to win by seven points against England in their final match to win the title. They won 30–3 and kept the title for the first time since 1979.
Middle Years (2014–2017)
George played for Wales in the 2014 Six Nations. He started all five matches. In one game against France, he played as an outside centre. This was to help Wales match the size of a strong French player. The plan worked, and Wales won 27–6, with George scoring a try.
George played four of Wales' five games during the 2015 Six Nations. He missed one game because of a concussion he got against England.
At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, George played in most of Wales' group matches. Wales won against Uruguay, England, and Fiji. They lost to Australia, which meant they faced South Africa in the quarter-final. George played on the wing, but Wales lost 23–19.
George played for Wales during the 2016 Six Nations. He scored tries against Scotland, France, England, and Italy. He earned his 63rd cap for Wales against Australia in November 2016.
In the 2017 Six Nations, George scored three tries. Two of these were against Ireland, bringing his total career tries to 32. This made him the fourth-highest try scorer in Welsh history. He also became the highest try scorer among all active top-tier international players.
Later Years (2018–2021)
After an injury, George was back in the Welsh squad for the 2018 Six Nations Championship. He didn't play in the first week but returned against England. He scored two tries against Italy, helping Wales win 38–14. His two tries brought his career total to 34. He also played well in Wales' summer and autumn tours, scoring more tries.
George's great form meant he was a definite choice for Wales' 2019 Six Nations Championship squad. He played against France and scored two tries, earning the Man of the Match award. George became a Grand Slam champion for the second time in his career in the 2019 Six Nations, as Wales beat Ireland 25–7.
George was part of the Wales squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He scored a try in their match against Georgia.
Under the new Wales coach, Wayne Pivac, George started playing as an outside centre. He did well in this new position, scoring against Ireland in the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
George became the youngest player to reach 100 games for Wales in a match against England on 27 February 2021.
He currently has the most tries in international rugby for an active player. He is also the second-highest all-time try scorer for Wales, just behind Shane Williams.
2011 Rugby World Cup
George North was chosen as a key winger for Wales for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. He started on the left wing for Wales' first match against South Africa, which they narrowly lost. George also played against Samoa and scored two tries against Namibia. He scored another try against Fiji.
George started on the right wing in Wales' win over Ireland in the quarter-final. They then faced France in the semi-finals but lost 9–8.
British and Irish Lions
Tours (2013–2017)
George was chosen for the Lions squad for the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
In June 2013, George scored the first Lions try against Australia. He ran from inside his own half, getting past four players. The Lions won the first match 23–21.
In another game in June 2013, George famously lifted Australia's Israel Folau while running with the ball.
In July 2013, George scored his 14th international try and his second Lions try. This helped the Lions win the series against Australia 2–1.
George was also chosen for the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. He played in three matches on the tour. However, he had to go home early because he tore his hamstring.
After an ACL injury in April 2021, George could not join the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
George North's Personal Life
In June 2019, George North married his long-time partner, Becky James, who is an Olympic cyclist. On 5 May 2020, they announced the birth of their first child.
See also
In Spanish: George North para niños
