George North poised to set new youngest player to reach 50 caps world record

28 August 2015 10:31

Wales star George North will set a new world record when he makes his rugby comeback in Saturday's Test match against Ireland.

At 23 years and 138 days, Northampton wing North will become the youngest player in rugby union Test match history to reach 50 caps for his country.

North made his Wales debut against South Africa in November 2010, scoring two tries, and what has proved to be a stellar career now hits another notable landmark.

North, who has claimed 22 Wales touchdowns and stands fourth on his country's all-time list behind Shane Williams, Gareth Thomas and Ieuan Evans, breaks the cap age record of Australian Joe Roff.

Roff was was 24 years and 40 days when he clocked up a half-century for Australia against South Africa in 1999, while the top six is completed by France scrum-half Morgan Parra (24 years and 114 days), Italy No8 Sergio Parisse (24 years and 151 days), England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (24 years and 168 days) and New Zealand full-back Christian Cullen (24 years and 280 days).

North returns to action on Saturday for his first appearance since late March. He suffered three concussions last season, but is now fully fit and lines up at the Aviva Stadium in Wales' penultimate World Cup warm-up Test.

:: Statistics refer only to matches for the player's own country and do not include appearances for the British and Irish Lions.

Source: PA