George North is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship and the Wales national team. He has also represented the British & Irish Lions and currently has the most tries in international rugby for an active player.
Although George’s father is English, and George was born in Norfolk, his mother is from Anglesey, and it was here the family moved when George was two. A fluent Welsh speaker, he was educated at Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern on Anglesey and later at Llandovery College.
In October 2010, George was selected to the 33-man squad for the Autumn international series. On 11 November 2010, he was named in the Wales team to face South Africa on 13 November, making him the joint-third youngest player to represent Wales behind Tom Prydie and Norman Biggs and equal to Evan Williams.
George made an impressive start to his international career on 13 November 2010 in a match against the reigning world champions, by scoring two tries for Wales as they lost to South Africa 29–25 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He set several Welsh and international records in the match.
Aged 18 years, 214 days, he became the youngest player ever to score a try in his debut for Wales. The previous record holder was Tom Pearson, who was aged 18 years, 238 days when he scored against England in 1891.
Following his international debut at the 2010 end-of-year tests, George North soon became a regular fixture for Wales in their starting XV.
He competed for Wales during the 2014 Six Nations, and started all five matches, including a switch to outside centre against France, with Wales hoping that his size and strength would make him an adequate opponent against the 19-stone frame of Mathieu Bastareaud, who was starting in the same position for Les Bleus. The plan worked, as Wales won 27–6, with George scoring a try after five minutes of play.
George went on to play for Wales during the 2016 Six Nations, scoring tries against Scotland, France, England and Italy.
He was part of the Wales squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, scoring a try in the 76th minute of their match against Georgia.
In February 2021 he became the youngest player to attain 100 caps for Wales in a match against England.
In June 2019, George married his long-term partner, double Olympic cycling medallist Becky James. Together they have two young sons.