George North insists Wales are in the best place they’ve ever been going into a Rugby World Cup as they prepare to finalise their warm-up campaign against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

The Ospreys wing will appear in his third global showpiece in Japan having starred in both the 2011 and 2015 competitions.

And he believes the clash with Ireland in Dublin holds vital importance in terms of getting Wales ready for the rigours of the upcoming competition.

“The preparation for this World Cup has been disgusting, but it has been the best we’ve ever had,” North said. “It has been one of the toughest camps I have been involved in and I was just happy to survive the one in Switzerland.

“There were a few times when I thought ‘You’ve had a good career, let’s call it a day’, but you train to play and be involved in these big games and tournaments.

“Mentally I am in the best place I have been. I’m scoring tries and the way the game has evolved now has helped me.

“With where I and the team are physically and mentally we are building very nicely for the start of the World Cup.”

North continued: “The last 18 months has been the best run ever in Welsh rugby with 14 wins in a row and in that time this squad has been building. It started out in the summer tour and even before that with some of the younger players who are pushing through. We’ll have had two tough games each against England and Ireland, but you need to sharpen your sword against teams like them before you go into a short, sharp group. We’ve got what we needed to be ready to go.”

North has impressed for Wales so far this summer and has scored in each of his two appearances against England. He added: “I’ve got 85 caps now and I never thought I’d get one. One is more than enough, but going into a third World Cup has really put a smile on my face.

“It shows all the hard work and graft has been worth it. Professional sport is all about that.

“Defence is different in rugby now and they are much better than they were in Shane’s day. When I got my first cap he said to me ‘Don’t worry. Trust me, this is easy.’

“He was one of my heroes, but I could have slapped him when he said that! I’m trying my hardest to catch him, but I didn’t think I would be in this position now. It is just nice to be talked about in the same breath as the likes of Shane, Gareth Thomas and Ieuan Evans.

“I’m very fortunate to be in this position and I feel very privileged to be going to a third World Cup. One was good, two was amazing, but three is even better.”

Wales head coach Warren Gatland selected an experimental side last Saturday as Wales were beaten by Ireland, but he has named a far stronger team for the rematch.

He has made 15 changes in total. Alun Wyn Jones will captain the side and is partnered by Jake Ball at lock with Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty in the back-row. Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee and Tomas Francis form a strong scrummaging front-row.

Tomos Williams and Rhys Patchell start at half-back with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies in midfield. Josh Adams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny make up the back-three.

Despite the World Cup being around the corner Wales captain Jones insists his side will be going hell for leather to win Saturday’s test match.

“It has been a hectic week, but there are no excuses there,” he said.

“We have still had a Test match to prepare for and we’ve done that.

“We’re ready to play. When we’ve taken the field this week we’ve done pretty well and we need to take that into the game else it will be a wasted week. It’s the last time we’ll take the field competitively before the plane takes off and we’re aware of that.”