George North will put everything into Scarlets thrilling end of season

Scarlets and Wales winger George North has thanked rugby supporters from across his region and Wales for the backing, encouragement and spirit they’ve shown in following his career to date.

The 21-year-old from North Wales, who moves to Premiership Rugby at Northampton next season said that he’s looking forward to a new challenge in England but is only focused on one thing at the moment – that’s helping the Scarlets reach the PRO12 semi-final stage.

It will be a big night in West Wales on Friday 3rd May with all teams kicking off at 7.45pm for the big showdown in the RaboDirect PRO12 and with the Scarlets in fourth – a win at home at Parc y Scarlets could see them through to final stages of the Celtic league competition for the first time in a decade.

North said: “So much hard work has gone on here at Parc y Scarlets to get us into this position – it’s a long season and it would be great for the boys and our supporters to see us reach the final stages and really have a chance of bringing home silverware.”

The star winger was playing age-grade rugby the last time the Scarlets were in the knock-out stages of a big competition said: “It’s been a long time for our supporters the last really big Scarlets occasion was the Heineken Cup semi-final in 2007 – we all appreciate that and while we’ve come close too many times in recent years – this time it’s in our control.

“It’s huge for everyone in our region. We need another boost with a great end to this season – and as players we will be putting everything we possibly can to do that.

“In the end, we want to play the game to win and be the best at what we do and challenging the best too. To be in this competition to the end is what we’ll be fighting very hard for.”

North said that he’d move forward from the challenges of a ‘busy past few weeks’ off the field and had a clear focus.

“I suppose you could say it’s been a busy time but I’ve just kept my focus on my rugby and now I am looking forward to what’s ahead of me. The new challenge with Northampton and experiencing the Premiership will be good, but the most important thing to me personally now is to give everything to our season end here at Parc y Scarlets.

“The boys here and the region deserve success.”

North said he wanted to pass a message to supporters to express how grateful he was for everything that had been done for him in his career to date. North grew up on Anglesey, North Wales and was educated at Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern and Llandovery College. Before joining the Scarlets, he played for Llangefni, Pwllheli, Rhyl and Gogledd Cymru Under 16s.

“The supporters have backed me from the very first minute I put on the Scarlets shirt and they have been awesome all the way. I’d like to thank all those who have been part of our rugby career so far in Wales from North Wales to Llandovery and then Scarlets – it’s been brilliant.

“Hopefully we can pay back the great support we have here in West Wales by getting a play-off place and then who knows maybe a final.”

North has made 43 appearances for the Scarlets with 70 points to date.

He’ll be playing out his final home game in front of the region’s thousands at the Scarlets against Treviso – the team he made his debut against aged just 18 sealing two tries to boot at his first senior Scarlets outing on 4th September 2010.

It’s been a roller-coaster journey for him since that first Scarlets game but the talented international wing says it’s a ride he’s enjoyed every step of the way.

He said: “It’s just a case of hold on, enjoy the ride and take your chances. Yes it’s been pretty busy and a little crazy at times – but it’s been my dream to get to where I am now and I have enjoyed every part of it.

“It’ll be a sad day for me on Friday night at Parc y Scarlets for my last home game here – I’ve made a lot of good friends; but it’s going to be another busy and noisy night and with right atmosphere the boys will do all they can to end the season here on a real high.”