Six Nations 2024: Warren Gatland says he 'understands' George North's decision to retire

Warren Gatland selected George North for four World Cups

Warren Gatland has backed George North over his decision to retire from international rugby.

North, who has won 120 caps for Wales and scored 47 tries, will leave the Ospreys and join French club Provence this summer.

The 31-year-old has announced he will end his Test career after Saturday's Six Nations finale against Italy.

"I completely understood his decision with him going to France and taking the family with him," said Gatland.

North's switch to France was revealed earlier this term against a backdrop of Wales' four professional regions - Ospreys, Dragons, Scarlets and Cardiff - facing budget cuts next season.

Gatland says North wanted to stay in Wales. It is understood Ospreys were keen to keep North, who become the latest big-name signing for a Provence club with ambitions of playing in France's Top 14 league.

"It's an opportunity for him," said Gatland.

"With the potential difficulties of travelling back and forth, he wants to give it his all if he's still involved in international rugby.

"At the moment he has made that decision to focus on the family and playing in France.

"He did say if the opportunity was there he'd liked to have stayed in Wales, but he wasn't given that. So that's probably made his decision for him."

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When asked to clarify his comments on why North was not able to stay in Wales, Gatland added': "I don't know the economics of what he was offered in France.

"We are all aware of the restrictions on what the regions have been able to offer players, and what their agents expect.

"If you get offered a big contract in your late 20s or early 30s to go somewhere else you have to consider that because you are coming to the end of your career.

"You don't know what is going to happen post-rugby, and so they are the considerations. George would have loved to have stayed, but I don't know the economics behind the decision."

North told Gatland his decision earlier this week.

"It's not completely a surprise to me because we'd already had a couple of conversations," said Gatland.

"He was talking about when was the right time to retire. He has been playing international rugby since he was 18 and he has been going for a long time.

"He doesn't miss too many training sessions and when he's fit and ready to go he gives a huge amount during the week.

"He was probably thinking to himself when was the right time from a physical point of view.

"We would have loved for him to still be involved, but the conversation with him was he didn't want to continue playing for the next couple of years and then potentially leave us in a bit of a hole 12 months out from a World Cup.

"We had a good chat around that. We'd have loved to have had a player of his ability still to be involved, but at some stage everyone calls time.

"It means there will be another opportunity for someone else to come through."

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Gatland gave North his Wales debut in 2010 when he was just 18 and he responded with two tries against South Africa.

The Wales coach believes North will be remembered as one of the greats of Welsh rugby.

"He is definitely up there," said Gatland.

"We knew what an athlete he was. He had speed and ability, but he was raw.

"He is an incredibly talented athlete and rugby player, but probably more important is just what a quality person he is.

"Off the field he's a good family man and he's been a brilliant servant to Welsh rugby with his Lions history as well and what he's achieved there. I couldn't speak more highly of him."

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