Daily Mail

North’s new start on centre stage

- NIK SIMON reports from Washington DC

IT TOOK a message from his mother for George North to realise that he is no longer the boy wonder. When he steps out against South Africa in Washington today, he will be the most-capped player on the pitch. The omission of Warren Gatland’s Lions stars means North is the most experience­d player in Wales’s touring squad — and finds himself at a crucial crossroads in the USA. Gatland has shifted the 26-year-old to outside centre and urged him to reignite his career ahead of next year’s World Cup. ‘My mother pointed it out to me that I’m technicall­y one of the senior guys now,’ said North, who will win his 74th cap today. ‘It’s a new experience and it’s something that’s quite weird that people are looking at me for answers.’ North was dropped during this year’s Six Nations and his move from Northampto­n to the Ospreys met with little fanfare. Gatland has challenged the powerhouse to rediscover his form of the 2013 Lions tour — with North hoping the benefits of a National Dual Contract will pay dividends. ‘I loved my five years at Northampto­n,’ he said. ‘But I’ve got a new challenge to refocus my mind on. Being on an NDC, I can push myself but know that I’ll have time to rest.’ North has only started three Tests in the midfield but Gatland hopes more touches of the ball will help the player grow in confidence. He scored a double on his Test debut against the Springboks in 2010 and, as the old head, will be expected to lead the charge today. ‘At 13, you have a lot of moving parts with people inside you and people outside you moving around, so you are just getting used to the speed,’ he said. ‘I’m still learning as everyone is, but hopefully I can add a string to my bow with that centre play; bring some centre play into my wing play and vice versa.’ TV: LIVE on Channel 4 from 10pm.

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