Six Nations
Rugby player's dad turns pitch invader
February 22, 2013
George North's dad invades the pitch after his son scored the match-wining try for Wales against France in Paris.
Related Links
Players/Officials: George North
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: France | Wales

Jubilation turned to embarrassment for Wales rugby strong man George North when he realised a pitch invader during an international fixture was his dad. It has taken a while to surface, but the footage shows North's jubilant father unable to contain himself in Paris.

After the 20-year-old winger sealed a Six Nations victory over France with a match-winning try, North said that at first he had no idea who the middle-aged man was running across the ground.

"Obviously it's a great story but it's a bit embarrassing for me having my father running on the pitch in a Six Nations match," North told British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

"It was a case of him getting caught up in the emotion of the occasion," North added. "My mother has shouted at him quite a bit and he is sorry. I think he looks back on the incident as a bit silly. He said it just felt like the right thing to do at the time."

John North, 54, was tackled by officials at Stade de France after hurdling the boundary fence to celebrate with Wales players after his son's 71st minute try in the Six Nations second round match.

"It was a bit of a surprise really when one of the boys said: `was that your old man?'," admitted North.

"I said `no, I don't think it was' but obviously it was. I didn't really think about it at the time, I just carried on playing the game. I've spoken to him since and he was a bit gutted but he's chilled out about it now."

North said his mother Jan has promised she will prevent any repeat performance by her husband when the couple travel to Rome this weekend to watch Wales take on Italy.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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