Six Nations 2024: Warren Gatland says he 'understands' George North's decision to retire

[CharlieH]

 

Warren Gatland has backed George North over his decision to retire from international rugby.

North, who has won 120 caps for Wales and scored 47 tries, will leave the Ospreys and join French club Provence this summer.

 

The 31-year-old has announced he will end his Test career after Saturday's Six Nations finale against Italy.

"I completely understood his decision with him going to France and taking the family with him," said Gatland.

North's switch to France was revealed earlier this term against a backdrop of Wales' four professional regions - Ospreys, Dragons, Scarlets and Cardiff - facing budget cuts next season.

Gatland says North wanted to stay in Wales. It is understood Ospreys were keen to keep North, who become the latest big-name signing for a Provence club with ambitions of playing in France's Top 14 league.

"It's an opportunity for him," said Gatland.

"With the potential difficulties of travelling back and forth, he wants to give it his all if he's still involved in international rugby.

"At the moment he has made that decision to focus on the family and playing in France.

"He did say if the opportunity was there he'd liked to have stayed in Wales, but he wasn't given that. So that's probably made his decision for him."

• Emotional North reflects on glittering career
• Wales recall retiring North and Tompkins for Italy

When asked to clarify his comments on why North was not able to stay in Wales, Gatland added': "I don't know the economics of what he was offered in France.

"We are all aware of the restrictions on what the regions have been able to offer players, and what their agents expect.

"If you get offered a big contract in your late 20s or early 30s to go somewhere else you have to consider that because you are coming to the end of your career.

"You don't know what is going to happen post-rugby, and so they are the considerations. George would have loved to have stayed, but I don't know the economics behind the decision."

 

READ MORE