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 in France. George was born in England but grew up in Wales.
He played for the Welsh national team from 2010 to 2024. He also played for the British and Irish Lions on two tours. George is known as one of the best rugby players of his time.
He started his professional career with the Scarlets team. Later, he moved to England to play for the Northampton Saints. George made history in Welsh rugby. He was the youngest player to score a try in his very first game, at just 18 years old. He is also one of the top try-scorers in international rugby.
Contents
Early Life and Rugby Start
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 learned to speak Welsh fluently.
He went to school at Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern and later Llandovery College. As a young player, George played for several local rugby clubs. These included Llangefni, Pwllheli, Rhyl, and Caernarfon.
Club Rugby Career
Before playing for his country, George played six matches for the Scarlets first team. An injury limited how many games he could play.
In 2013, George signed with Northampton Saints in England. He scored his first try for Northampton against Sale Sharks. He also scored his first Heineken Cup try against Leinster Rugby. George helped Northampton win the Premiership final that year.
He continued to play well for the Saints. In 2016, he scored his 150th point for the team. George also helped Northampton get a spot in the European Rugby Champions Cup for the 2017–18 season.
In 2018, George returned to Wales to play for the Ospreys. This move was part of a special contract with the Welsh Rugby Union.
In December 2023, George announced he would leave the Ospreys. He signed a two-year contract to play for Provence Rugby in France. Unfortunately, he injured his Achilles tendon in his last game for Wales. This meant he could not play for Provence until January 2025. He made his debut for Provence in the second tier of French rugby.
International Rugby for Wales
First Years with Wales (2010–2013)
George North was chosen for the Welsh national team in October 2010. On November 13, 2010, he played his first game for Wales against South Africa. He was one of the youngest players ever to represent Wales.
In that first game, George scored two tries! He set a new record as the youngest player to score a try on debut for Wales. He was 18 years old. He also became the youngest player to score two tries against a major rugby nation.
After his first games, George became a regular player for Wales. He scored a try when Wales beat Ireland in the 2012 Six Nations. Wales went on to win their first Grand Slam since 2008 that year.
In the 2013 Six Nations, George played every minute. He scored the only try when Wales won against France. Wales then beat England 30–3 to win the title again. This was the first time they had won two titles in a row since 1979.
Continued Success (2014–2017)
George played in all five matches of the 2014 Six Nations. He even played as an outside centre against France. Wales won that game 27–6, and George scored a try.
He played in four of Wales' five games in the 2015 Six Nations. He missed one game due to a concussion.
At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, George played in most of Wales' pool matches. Wales won against Uruguay, England, and Fiji. They lost to Australia and then to South Africa in the quarter-finals.
In the 2016 Six Nations, George scored tries against Scotland, France, England, and Italy.
In 2017, George scored three tries in the Six Nations. Two of these were against Ireland. This brought his total tries to 32, making him the fourth-highest try scorer in Welsh history.
Later Years and Retirement (2018–2024)
After an injury, George returned to play in the 2018 Six Nations Championship. He scored two tries against Italy. He also scored a try against Argentina during Wales' summer tour.
George was a key player in Wales' 2019 Six Nations Championship squad. He scored two tries against France and was named Man of the Match. Wales won the Grand Slam for the second time in his career that year.
He was also part of the Wales squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He scored a try against Georgia.
Under a new coach, George started playing more as an outside centre. He scored against Ireland in the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
On February 27, 2021, George became the youngest player to earn 100 caps for Wales. A "cap" means playing one international match for your country.
George holds the record for the most tries in international rugby among active players. He is the second-highest all-time try scorer for Wales, after Shane Williams. He retired from international rugby in 2024.
2011 Rugby World Cup
George was chosen for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. He played on the left wing against South Africa. He also scored two tries against Namibia and one against Fiji.
Wales beat Ireland in the quarter-finals. They then faced France in the semi-finals but lost a very close game.
British and Irish Lions
Tours (2013–2017)
George was chosen for the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. This is a special team made up of the best players from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
In the first game against Australia, George scored a fantastic try. He ran from his own half, beating four players. The Lions won that game. In the third game, George scored his second Lions try. This helped the Lions win the series 2–1 against Australia.
George was also selected for the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. He played in three games on this tour. However, he had to go home early after tearing his hamstring.
In April 2021, George injured his ACL. This meant he could not join the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Personal Life
In June 2019, George North married Becky James, who is an Olympic cyclist. On May 5, 2020, they announced the birth of their first child.
See also
In Spanish: George North para niños
