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Despite playing just 14 minutes, North reaches obscure statistical milestone
By Ian Cameron
Despite playing just 14 minutes against Ireland in Dublin, George North has advanced considerably in his bid to run down an obscure statistical attacking record held by Brian O’Driscoll.
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North came on in the 66th minute for Liam Williams, but somehow managed to beat four defenders during his short time on the pitch.
The figure brought to 100 the number of defenders that North has beaten in the Six Nations and he is now 63 defenders beaten away from O’Driscoll’s record.
? – @George_North beat 4? defenders against Ireland, taking his overall tally to ? in @SixNationsRugby history, Brian O'Driscoll (163) is the only other player to reach that milestone in the Championship. Star. pic.twitter.com/pqoGD5f2MC
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) February 28, 2018
North is only two games back from injury with Northampton Saints, but showed his undoubted quality in his 14 minute window at the Aviva Stadium.
North has 30 Six Nations caps to his name, which averages out at an impressive 3.3 defenders beaten per appearance.
North was the first teenager from anywhere in the world to score 10 Test tries and was capped 21 times before his 20th birthday.
It’s been a difficult two seasons for North, whose fluctuating form and intermittent struggles with injury seeing his stock as a player fall considerably.
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Despite being one of the team’s most high profile stars, he was unable to break into the British and Irish Lions Test team in New Zealand during the summer.
Elswhere Brian O’Driscoll has been reacting to the news that Jamie Heaslip is retiring with immediate effect.
