The Wales and British & Irish Lions legend left Welsh rugby for the French second tier in 2024
16:07, 20 Mar 2026Updated 16:09, 20 Mar 2026
North and his wife Becky are loving life in France(Image: Instagram: @becksjames)
George North has opened up on his “incredible” new life in France, with the Welsh rugby legend getting stuck into a new way of life with his wife Becky and their children.
It’s nearly two years since the 33-year-old left Welsh rugby to join French second-tier side Provence, having announced his shock retirement from international rugby just before the final game of the 2024 Six Nations. A four-time Six Nations winner, North won 121 caps for Wales and toured twice with the British & Irish Lions, while he represented Scarlets, Northampton Saints and Ospreys at club level.
With his debut for the Pro D2 side delayed after he ruptured his Achilles in his final game for Wales, North made his bow for Provence in January last year, and has since made 15 further appearances, scoring two tries.
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His side currently sit third in the table as they target promotion to the Top 14, something which the Welshman is determined to help them achieve. But while he believes he still has plenty to give on the field, North’s decision to relocate to France was only partly motivated by the rugby, with the opportunity for him and his young family to experience a new culture another major factor.
Speaking to former Wales international Richard Parks on his Beyond the Breakdown podcast, North admitted he has surprised himself with how he has integrated himself into the French culture, as he praised the “unreal” matchday atmosphere, with packed stands a weekly occurrence in the Pro D2.
“The love for the rugby here [is huge], especially in Provence,” he explained, detailing just how different his rugby experience has been in France compared to his time in Wales.
The Wales legend made his debut for Provence in January last year(Image: Instagram: @becksjames)
“That’s why the name has changed a few times. It was just Aix Rugby, then it was Aix-en-Provence Rugby, now it’s Provence Rugby because they want to incorporate the whole region.
“You see it on on match days, they do it incredibly well, the fan base. All the home games now are sold out, like Thursday night, 9pm, sold out. It’s incredible. the atmosphere, live band, you can get fresh seafood in the corner with rosé. It’s unreal. It’s very French, but it’s incredible, the atmosphere and the following it has.
“For me, this move was about the experience, about experiencing French rugby and trying to help Provence on their journey to the Top 14,” he added. “It was a big draw for me, Becks and the boys as an experience.”
North went on to add that he and Olympic cyclist Becky had been left stunned by how their children have already been influenced by the French way of life, as he detailed one hilarious remark from his four-year-old son Tomi.
“My dad was in the RAF, he toured, we went with him, but I don’t remember any of it, I was still a pup,” he said. “But my boys now, they’re speaking French.
“Over dinner the other night, Becky put the salad down on the table and my youngest, Tomi, who’s four, turns around and says, ‘Oh, mum, where’s the vinaigrette?’. I was like, ‘You are so French, child. We’ll get you back to Wales now.’ Me and Becks looked at each other like, “What is going on there?”.
North has been surprised at how he and his family have taken to French culture(Image: @george_north)
Admitting that he has also surprised himself by how he has taken to his new life in France, North said the experience so far has been “everything I thought it would and more,” but did not detail what might lie ahead for him, with his Provence contact expiring at the end of the current season.
“The French lifestyle, the family life especially, they prioritize that more than anything,” he said. “For me, Becks and the boys, it’s been incredible. We’ve met some amazing people with the club, some amazing people with the school and it’s been everything I thought it would and more.
“Some bits have been very different, some bits have been very cliche. I said I wouldn’t be the guy that would walk through the village to the boulangerie every day to get a baguette with the kids, but I am that guy!
“It’s an incredible part of the world,” North added. “The club have been really good, some of the sponsors have become really good friends, we’ve gone to pick vines with some of the sponsors over Fuveau way, it has been incredible. It’s been amazing.”
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