‘Happy’ George can smash Shane’s try record says Hook

GEORGE North’s scintillating start to life at the Ospreys has James Hook in no doubt he will break Shane Williams’ Wales try record.

North swapped Northampton for a summer return over the Severn Bridge and crossed for three tries in his first two games.

The hulking two-time British Lion has 33 tries in 76 Tests for Wales, still 25 short of Williams’ record of 58. But at 26, North has years ahead of him and Ospreys team-mate Hook believes his future achievements will include him catching Williams.

“He hasn’t taken any time at all to settle and that’s great for us,” Hook said. “He’s had a great start and seems happy. On the pitch he’s producing the goods and he’s more than capable of breaking Shane’s record.

“If he stays injury free there’s no reason why he can’t and there are still a lot of tries to come from him. It’s crazy he’s still only in his mid-twenties because he’s done so much in his career already. He’s still got so much to give and I hope he’s got a lot to offer us at the Ospreys too. He hasn’t come here with an ego and he’s settled straight into the squad.”

North’s competitive Ospreys debut saw him bag a brace of tries against Edinburgh and he then added another score in a thrashing of the Cheetahs.

His hunger and determination have been more than obvious even this early in the season which bodes well for both those at the Liberty Stadium and Wales boss Warren Gatland.

Hook added: “George is a world-class finisher. When he’s five or 10 metres out, he’s a difficult person to stop. He’s been great for us so far.

“It’s not just the attacking threats he poses. His defensive work has been very good, particularly against Edinburgh. We all know what George can do and if he continues to do that for us and Wales as well, so much the better.”