Wales' 'Lomu' to call it a day
SPOTLIGHT: A Welsh rugby stalwart is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season after an illustrious professional career spanning 16 years.
Former Wales and current Provence utility back George North announced on social media platform X that he will call it a day at the end of the current Pro D2 season.
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Over and out 😘 pic.twitter.com/1dCVN6wIqM
— George North (@George_North) April 29, 2026
“Hi guys, I just want to come on here and let you know at the end of the season I will be retiring.
“For me, it is the right time. I have been able to live out my childhood dream for many seasons, playing with some of the best players, coaches and the staff behind.
“Now, I can’t thank my family, my friends and you guys enough for the support you have shown me over the years. Honestly, it’s meant the world to me.
“The next chapter, yeah, I am still working on that one, but I am excited to see where that journey takes me.
“So, again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Diolch [thank you].”
Often dubbed the Welsh Jonah Lomu, the former Test centre and winger made his international debut at 18 years old against the Springboks, announcing himself with a brace against the 2007 World Champions in a 25-29 defeat in Cardiff.
The feat marked him becoming the youngest player in Wales’ history to score a try on debut, overtaking fellow winger Tom Pearson, whose last Test was in 1903.
He also became the youngest player to score a try at a World Cup, a year later at the 2011 global showpiece in New Zealand.
The Test veteran also formed part of the first and only Welsh side to defeat the Springboks on South African soil when Wayne Pivac’s side shocked Jacques Nienaber’s team in Bloemfontein in 2022.
North represented Wales 121 times and earned three Test caps for the British and Irish Lions between 2013 and 2017, winning the 2013 series against Australia and sharing with New Zealand in 2017.
He won the Six Nations Grand Slam twice, including four tournament championships under former coach Warren Gatland.
He represented Pro 12 (now United Rugby Championship) teams Scarlets and Ospreys and also enjoyed a five-year stint with Prem side Northampton Saints.
