Six Nations 2015: George North challenged to play like a Saint
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. |
Winger George North has been challenged to replicate his Northampton club form for Wales by backs coach Rob Howley.
North, 22, will become the youngest player in history to make 50 Test match appearances when Wales play France in the Six Nations in Paris on Saturday.
"He has been playing particularly well for Northampton, but has not hit the straps he, and we, would have liked on the international stage," said Howley.
"That is the challenge for every player wearing the national jersey."
North is one of four changes from the Welsh side that beat Scotland.
He was rested for the trip to Murrayfield despite passing return to play protocols, after suffering two heavy blows to his head during the 21-16 home defeat against England.
Wales are aiming to secure a fourth successive win against France for the first time since the 1950s.
Howley hopes record-breaking North can continue his scoring run against the Les Bleus to help keep their Six Nations title hopes alive.
"He is an exceptional player," said Howley.
"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."
The Wales coach is also impressed by the number of Test appearances North has made in such a short space of time.
"It is a phenomenal record," said Howley.
"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."