Welsh rugby will welcome back one of its prodigal sons this week after a five year sojourn at Northampton Saints. Still only 26, and with eight years of international rugby behind him, he returns to Wales determined to reach his prime on home soil.
The luxury of an eight week summer break after returning from Wales’ tour of America has helped him get ready for Friday night’s opening Guinness PRO14 fixture against Edinburgh and the big man simply can’t wait to get back into action.
“Having time off, and deciding to give myself a mental break from rugby, was great. If anyone talked to me about rugby, I would change the subject very quickly,” said North.
“I had eight weeks off, but by week five my fiancée (Becky James) was shooing me out of the door. Mentally, I needed it more than anything because it’s been a long, old slog.
“I’m 26 now, but I started when I was 18 and this was my first proper break before starting pre-season. I’ve been able to prat around, playing on bikes, seeing family, going to three weddings, which I have never been able to do before.
“I went up to Silverstone last weekend with Scott Williams to watch the MotoGp – it’s very rare we get a few days off to relax like that – and it has been ideal to get ready to come back for a big block of games to start the season.”
He even got asked out on a ride by Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas and his father-in-law, quickly finding out just how good his fellow Welsh sporting idol is on a bike.
“There was one point where he was talking to me and texting as well when he was riding up hill. I just thought he was taking the mickey,” said North.
A third World Cup next year must be high on North’s playing agenda and his return to Wales on a dual-contract with the WRU should allow him to head to Japan in peak condition. Moving back home from Northampton will take tens of thousands of miles, and endless hours of driving, out of his season to leave him freer to concentrate on what he does best.
“It’s nice to be back in Wales, everything is more on one page,” he admitted. “It is a long old season, the rugby is slightly different but, physically, it means I can be taken care of.
“There were a number of reasons for choosing the Ospreys, including a little bit of history. I broke through when the ‘Fab Four’ were playing for the Ospreys – Mike Phillips, Shane Williams, Lee Byrne and James Hook.
“For me to be a part of that was huge. From a rugby point of view, if you look at the squad at the Ospreys, we have brought in players that are only going to strengthen the team.
“That excited me, as did the coaching staff. I spoke to a lot of people about Allen Clarke and they described him as a steely Ulsterman.
“That is what you get with him, someone who is very passionate about his work, dedicated to it and wants the best from everyone.
“You have someone like Matt Sherratt coming in as well, who I have worked with before, and then there is Brad Davis and Shaun Edwards. It’s exciting the platform we can push off.”
