Sorry, but I’m happy on the wing says George North
North has been in the thick of it for Northampton Saints of late, filling in at outside-centre with George Pisi serving a suspension and injuries piling up.
But he has not disappointed, getting the better of fellow Lion and opposite number Brian O’Driscoll – a past master in the No.13 jersey – by scoring the opening try in Saints’ crucial win over Leinster in Dublin.
North’s start to life across the Severn has been mixed – showing glimpses of his Lions form but often starved of the ball out wide.
And the same can be said of his autumn campaign for Wales. After a slow start he shone against Australia when bursting off his wing and through the middle, scoring his 16th and 17th Test tries.
It has prompted discussion in the valleys that North’s future lies in midfield but Saints boss Jim Mallinder has said he will not be doing Wales any further favours – having released the player to face Australia last month despite knowing a fine would ensue. Pisi’s return meant North was back on the wing yesterday for Saints’ clash with Bath and the Welshman revealed he is more than happy to wait for his chances out wide.
“Short-term I was just filling in,” he said. “I’m happy to do the job at centre but my heart is still set on the wing. The more I can play at centre the more experience I will get and it’s only going to benefit me and the Saints.
“Naturally you get your hands on the ball more at centre. On the wing it’s a bit more freelance.”
North claims that whenever his country comes calling he will join up.
“I’ve enjoyed every second I’ve been here and Northampton allow me to play some important rugby week-in week-out while also letting me pursue my Wales career,” he said.
“I’ve got the utmost respect for the club for wanting me here and I back them 100 per cent for giving me the opportunity to also pursue my Wales career.
“It’s about individual contracts. For me it was always great that Northampton were willing to support me in my international career by giving me full release to play for Wales as well as trying to improve myself at club level.
“Whenever I get the chance to put the Wales jersey on it’s a massive honour and if they say, ‘George I want you to play’, then obviously I’m going to, and thank goodness Saints have been so understanding with me and allowing me to do that.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty around the Welsh regions and the Union at the moment. Obviously I came here for a great opportunity and a great chance but for me now I’m just happy to be out of it and let them argue.
“I’m really happy that I found a club that really wants me and we’re doing well this season.”
North is also the first to admit he is yet to reproduce the form that etched him into Lions folklore this summer, but he is not about to press the panic button.
“I’m gradually getting settled. It’s an ongoing thing and it doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “Going away to Wales and then coming back didn’t really help the settling-in process but from when I arrived the squad has been amazing with me.
“I’ve had plenty of stick about being the only Welshman here, about being big time, and a few other things along those lines but if I wasn’t getting that then I’d be worried.
“I found it tough, naturally, coming to a new club which has a different way of playing. For me all I can say is it’ll take a little bit of time to get into it and obviously week by week I’m gaining more information and more knowledge about how we play and how I can be most effective for the team.”
JONATHAN GREEN
