The Welsh wing joined his new teammates for the first time this week, along with fellow British and Irish Lion Alex Corbisiero. And as well as a full week on the training field North has taken in the Northants Steelbacks’ Twenty/20 quarter final win and helping coach youngsters on the Saints’ residential Monarch Rugby Academy at Stowe School.
Combined with a new baby arrival in the family, all in all it’s been a busy first week in the East Midlands!
“It’s been short and sharp getting back into pre-season,” he said. “It’s been nice to finally get in with the boys properly and I’m really happy to be here now.
“I’ve been a bit nervous; in some ways it’s been like starting at a new school. But it’s nice to be training and it’s a good environment with the rest of the players.”
Training is one thing, but North also joined the rest of the squad at Stowe, passing on his tips on the school’s rugby pitches.
“It’s been good to get my hands dirty with a bit of coaching,” he added. “It’s something that I did a bit of back at the Scarlets, and it’s good to see a camp like this here at the Saints. Stowe’s definitely a good environment for it!”
North could be getting his hands dirty on babysitting duties, too, with his sister and brother-in-law – who also live in the Northampton area – welcoming their third baby this week.
And he acknowledged how having family in the area has made it easier to settle into life in a new town.
“It’s been really helpful,” the winger commented. “My sister Hayley lives in Northampton as well and that was a big reason why I came here. And obvious congratulations to her and her husband Martin for their third baby, who was born on Wednesday night.”
Tickets are now on sale for the Saints’ opening six home matches, starting with the pre-season friendly against Edinburgh on August 23rd. Make sure you’re at Franklin’s Gardens and getting behind George and the rest of the Saints by booking your tickets now – just CLICK HERE and follow the straightforward instructions!
