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North reveals the devastating injury sustained in final Wales match
By Josh Raisey
George North has revealed that he ruptured his Achilles in the final minutes of his last ever Wales match against Italy on Saturday in the Guinness Six Nations.
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The 31-year-old was carried from the Principality Stadium field with just one minute remaining of his Wales career in the 24-21 loss the Italy, and has since taken to social media to share the extent of the injury.
The 121-cap Wales great shared two photos – one of himself on crutches at the stadium and one in a hospital bed – alongside this message: “Not everyone gets the fairy tale ending. A ruptured Achilles wasn’t the way I wanted to bow out of International rugby. Still I have loved every second. Can’t thank everyone enough for the support and kind messages. On the recovery train now.”
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While North had already confirmed that the final round of the Six Nations would be his last match for Wales, the injury also spells the end of his Ospreys career, as he is set to move to France next season and join Provence. An injury of his magnitude will not only mean he will miss the remainder of this season, but the start of next season as well in all likelihood.
Though North had his swansong, it was not an ideal way to go out. Not only did he pick up the injury, but Wales slumped to their fifth loss of the Championship, earning the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003.
Not everyone gets the fairy tale ending. A ruptured achilles wasn’t the way I wanted to bow out of International rugby. Still I have loved every second. Can’t thank everyone enough for the support and kind messages. On the recovery train now 🚂 pic.twitter.com/os09fhSA5v
— George North (@George_North) March 21, 2024
Despite the worrying showing from Wales, North said after the loss that he believes this young Welsh outfit have a bright future.
“There are some real positives coming through, some shining lights, we have just got to give them time,” he said.
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“Unfortunately, we are in the results business and the results business waits for no man.
“What a great challenge now for these boys to go (against) South Africa and Australia at the end of a long World Cup year. It is the experience they need to build that resilience and robustness into them and drive forward.
“The public have been incredible with their support for the boys, and all I would say is keep believing in them.
“The talent is there – I have seen it first-hand. The talent is immense, we’ve just got to give it time. I don’t think we are too far away from clicking.”
