France v Wales
Howley hails record-breaker North
ESPN Staff
February 27, 2015
Related Links
Players/Officials: Rob Howley | George North
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: Wales

Rob Howley has praised George North's "exceptional" ability as he prepares to set a new world record in Saturday's Six Nations showdown against France.

At 22, North will become the youngest player in international rugby union history to make 50 Test match appearances - 47 for Wales and three as a British and Irish Lion. Saturday's Paris clash also marks a return to action three weeks after taking two heavy blows to his head during the 21-16 home defeat against England.

Although Northampton wing North was not concussed, he still followed graduated return-to-play protocols and Wales decided to rest him for their Murrayfield appointment with Scotland 11 days ago.

North's comeback is among four changes from the side that saw off Scotland, with Wales heading to Stade de France knowing that a fourth successive victory over Les Bleus would keep them in Six Nations title contention.

"He is an exceptional player," Wales assistant coach Howley said. "George scored the last time we were out there [Paris] in 2013 and last year in Cardiff when they messed up at the back in defence. So he has a pretty good try-scoring record, and hopefully it will continue on the weekend.

"It is a phenomenal record [50 Tests]. If you think when we gave George his first cap back in 2010 against South Africa when he was just 18, and you look back at that performance at such a young age, he showed a maturity on the wing and the number of touches he had, scoring two great tries.

"That's the question we want to keep asking of George. Over the last six months, he has been playing particularly well for Northampton but has not hit the straps he, and we, would have liked on the international stage. That is the challenge for every player wearing the national jersey."

And Howley said Wales will use the French-based players knowledge of their opponents. He added: "It is obviously a very useful tool to have when players are able to give you an insight.

"As much as the analysis from a coach's perception, for players to play and train alongside other players week in, week out - Jon Davies with [Wesley] Fofana, and Jamie with [Brice] Dulin - and to give an insight of the French mindset throughout the year, is really important.

"It was good this morning when all our French-based players spoke in front of the whole squad and gave us an insight, maybe as well as the physical strengths and weaknesses, technical and tactical ability, but also a psychological mindset of French players. You can only use that, hopefully ,as a tool for motivation for the players and go out and use that additional information hopefully in the right way and make it a benefit."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.