George North’s shock retirement reminds Wales exactly how far they’ve fallen
The year was 2013 and Wales required something significant. Warren Gatland’s side had begun the championship chasing back-to-back Six Nations crowns; an opening home defeat to Ireland meant their hopes had already taken a hit. In round two, Wales travelled to Paris with their tournament at a pivot point – they had not won in France since 2005, and any hopes of mounting a title challenge would be over if that run continued.
Nine minutes to play, the scoreboard locked at six apiece. It had been tight, it had been tense; Frederic Michalak striking twice from the tee, Leigh Halfpenny providing his own accurate answers. It was stepped up.
