Centre will play his 121st and final Test match against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday
George North is to retire from international rugby after Wales’ Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA WireNorth, who has won 120 caps, had been recalled to the Wales team for what is a wooden-spoon decider.
North, who was omitted from the starting line-up beaten 45-24 by France, replaces Joe Roberts, with his fellow centre Nick Tompkins returning instead of Owen Watkin. Also among the replacements are uncapped Scarlets prop Harri O’Connor and Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd, who made his Test debut against France.Wales have not finished bottom of the Six Nations since 2003, when they lost all five games, but that fate now awaits them if they fail to beat Italy.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland said: “This is an important game for us. We definitely don’t want to finish bottom and the squad is hungry to win.
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