George North retiring from test rugby after Wales plays Italy in Six Nations this weekend

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Wales center George North will retire from international rugby after facing Italy in their Six Nations finale on Saturday at Principality Stadium.

North made the swansong announcement on Instagram on Wednesday after he was selected.

“After 14 years it feels like now is the right time to step away,” he wrote. “I have loved and cherished every second in a Welsh shirt and been able to play alongside some fantastic teammates. I’ve been very lucky to have lived my dream.”

In a career spanning 14 years, North will play his 121st Wales test. Only former teammates Alun Wyn Jones (158) and Gethin Jenkins (129) have played more. His 47 tries for Wales are second only to Shane Williams’ 58.

North and fellow center Nick Tompkins were restored to the midfield on Wednesday after they were surprisingly dropped for the France game last weekend because Wales coach Warren Gatland wanted to give Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin a run with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in mind.

Wales lost to France by a record 45-24 and needs a first win in the championship on Saturday to avoid finishing last for the first time in 21 years. Italy has received the wooden spoon for the last eight Six Nations.

“We definitely don’t want to finish bottom and the squad is hungry to win,” Gatland said. “We’re still looking for that 80-minute performance and have spoken about needing to be better in the big moments especially.”

Captain Dafydd Jenkins has switched back to lock from the blindside flank, where Alex Mann returns.

The reserves include Scarlets props Kemsley Mathias and uncapped Harri O’Connor. Together with hooker Evan Lloyd, who made an emergency test debut against France last weekend off the bench, the backup front row has a total of two caps.

The entire bench is inexperienced. Bolstered by dropped lock Will Rowlands and recalled scrumhalf Kieran Hardy for Gareth Davies, the bench has 72 caps total.

But Gatland is rebuilding Wales for 2027 and North is the latest old-timer to retire.

North will be 32 next month and Gatland worried whether his mileage will still make him potent in three years. He was moved from the wing to center at the end of 2020 to make better use of his experience, skillset and size.

He made a stunning two-try test debut at age 18 in 2010 against reigning world champion South Africa. He was the third youngest Welshman to debut, and the youngest to reach 100 caps in 2021.

North has played in four World Cups, helping Wales reach the semifinals in 2011 and 2019.

He’s won the Six Nations four times, including Grand Slams in 2012 and 2019.

He also helped the British and Irish Lions win the 2013 series against Australia, but was injured early out of the 2017 tour of New Zealand, and injured before the 2021 tour of South Africa.

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Wales: Cameron Winnett, Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Alex Mann, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins (captain), Dillon Lewis, Elliot Dee, Gareth Thomas. Reserves: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O’Connor, Will Rowlands, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby