George North hopes Shane Williams is ‘sweating’ after joining elite scoring club

Wales star George North has spoken of his pride after moving into the all-time top 10 of international rugby union try scorers.

North’s early touchdown against Guinness Six Nations opponents France was his 46th for Wales and the British and Irish Lions.

It put him level with New Zealand trio Christian Cullen, Joe Rokocoko and Julian Savea, and just one behind Irish great Brian O’Driscoll.

He also closed the gap to 14 on Wales’ record try-scorer Shane Williams, with the 30-year-old Ospreys centre showing no sign of his finishing power waning; he also overtook Williams as his country’s leading Six Nations finisher on 23.

“It has been a long road and a tough road, but it is something I am very proud and honoured to have achieved,” North said.

“Hopefully, there are a few more in me. I hope Shane is sweating, but there is a lot to go.”

Wales head coach Warren Gatland suggested in the build-up to facing France that it might potentially be the final Six Nations game for “up to eight” of his current squad.

Congratulations to George North for becoming Wales’ outright record try scorer in the @SixNationsRugby