North in nine matches: The rugby life of a Welsh powerhouse

George North celebrates Wales' 2021 Six Nations Triple Crown on his 100th appearance for his country [Huw Evans Agency] George North never eased his way into Test rugby - he crashed through the door. A teenager with the frame of a forward and pace to burn, he looked ready-made from day one. Over the next decade and more, he would become one of Wales' most recognisable figures: 121 caps, 47 tries, a star British and Irish Lion, a Grand Slam winner twice over.

Now heading towards retirement at French second-tier club Provence, here are 10 matches that chart his rise, his peak, and everything in between. 2010 – Benetton Treviso v Scarlets North Wales-bred George North went straight from Scarlets' academy into the limelight as a teenager [Huw Evans agency] The first glimpse, and it was unmistakable. Two tries on his debut against the Italian team then known as Benetton Treviso, aged just 18, and both carried the same hallmarks that would define his career - raw power, long-striding pace and the balance to stay on his feet through contact.

Already tipping past 16 stone, he didn't look like a teenager finding his way, more a player fully formed. There had been noise around him before kick-off. After this, expectation followed.

2010 – Wales v South Africa Not long after making his name for Scarlets, North scored twice on his Wales debut against South Africa [Huw Evans Agency] Two months later, the stage got bigger. On his debut against South Africa, North didn't just cope, he imposed himself. The two tries will live longest in the memory, but the early exchanges mattered just as much: carrying hard into the heart of the Springboks defence and refusing to give ground.