Six Nations
North: Young flyers can fill Williams void
ESPNscrum Staff
January 21, 2012
Wales' George North sprints away for the third try of the match, Fiji v Wales, Rugby World Cup, Waikato Stadium, Taranaki, New Zealand, October 2, 2011
George North has been in electrifying form for the Scarlets and Wales this season © Getty Images
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George North is confident the next generation of Welsh wingers can fill the void left by Shane Williams.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland named the teenager in a youthful Six Nations squad, which included Liam Williams (20), Leight Halfpenny (23), Harry Robinson (18) and Alex Cuthbert (21) as back-three options.

And North believes youngsters have the talent to make up for the loss of Williams, who retire from international rugby in December after 87 appearances and 58 tries for Wales.

"It is going to be a fresh-faced back division against Ireland," he told Walesonline. "Shane is a huge loss because he is massive for Welsh rugby, but others can learn a lot come the Six Nations and progress for Wales."

Despite making just 16 appearances for Wales so far, the 19-year-old is the second most experienced winger in the Wales squad behind Halfpenny. And the Scarlets winger concedes the pressure and expectation can be intimidating.

"Life has been busy since the World Cup," he admitted. "I have enjoyed it and it has given me time to step back from the massive hype of the World Cup which I thoroughly enjoyed. But I have also enjoyed being back at the Scarlets with the boys and playing in this environment.

"I feel sometimes a lot of pressure because I have had a number of caps already and been to the World Cup, but I am still learning my trade. Hopefully, I am doing it quickly, but maybe not quickly enough for some people.

"I am not complaining because there can't be many 19-year-olds who will say playing rugby for a living is a hard way to live. It has its perks and bad points, which is the pressure on and off the pitch and the constant expectation, but I have to cope with that. "I would like to say I have grown up, but I am still 19 and can be a bit childish!"

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