Six Nations 2015: Wales' George North proud of 50 match milestone
Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugby
| Six Nations 2015: France v Wales |
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| Venue: Stade de France Date: 28 February 2015 Kick-off: 17:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Live on BBC One, HD, Red Button, S4C, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra, online, mobile, the BBC Sport app and Connected TV. |
Wales wing George North says he will be proud when becomes the youngest player to make 50 international appearances in Paris on Saturday.
The 22-year-old wins his 47th Wales cap after missing the 26-23 win over Scotland, and played three Tests for the Lions against Australia in 2013.
He breaks a record set by Wallaby wing Joe Roff in the 1999 World Cup.
"I'm very proud; it's one of those things you forget about when you go in week in, week out," he said.
"You just want to focus on your preparation for the next game it's the sort of thing that's in the background and you forget about it."
"[But] I'm super proud to have achieved that and hopefully I'll get my Welsh 50 soon enough."
North has displaced Cardiff Blues wing Alex Cuthbert in a Wales team showing four changes from the one that beat Scotland.
The Northampton Saints wing was rested for the Murrayfield game after taking two blows to the head in the 21-16 defeat to England in the opening game.
North says he is relieved to be back after the controversy over his treatment during that match at the Millennium Stadium.
The Welsh Rugby Union were asked to explain North's treatment when he was allowed to carry on playing, after TV replays appeared to show him being being knocked out during the second half.
The sport's governing body - World Rugby - accepted their explanation that medical staff had not seen the incident.
North said the medical team were "brilliant" and that the incidents and his recovery were part of the modern game.
"At the end of the day it's rugby - it's not table tennis or tiddly-winks. It's a contact sport; you'll get some bangs and unfortunately I got one on my chin," he said.
"It's been a couple of weeks of hard work; just ticking the boxes, taking my welfare into account and following all the right protocols.
"It's nice to get back in the squad and get involved."
Although frustrated at being left out against Scotland, North added: "He [coach Warren Gatland] said for the sake of an extra four days it wasn't worth pushing - in hindsight it was the right decision."
North scored Wales' winning try in the 16-6 defeat of France in Paris two years ago, but whatever happens this time, North says he is definitely going to keep at least one memento from the game.
"I kept my first cap boots, I kept my Lions boots, and I'll probably keep these boots as well," he added.
"I've had these new boots made up for the weekend with the date on them - they're a special accolade."