Ton-up North cleared to beat Hooper record

Thu, Feb 18, 2021, 10:30 PM
AAP
by AAP
George North has been cleared to break a rugby world record as the youngest player to win 100 caps | Photo: Getty Images

Wales flyer George North has been cleared to win his 100th Wales cap against England in the Six Nations Championship and set a new record as the youngest man to achieve the century feat.

The youngest player to reach 100 caps for his country previously was Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, who reached the landmark, aged 28 years and 348 days, when he played against New Zealand last October.

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Yet North, who's also 28, will now beat Hooper's record by 29 days when he takes the field against England a week on Saturday.North missed Wales' second Six Nations win against Scotland last weekend with a foot injury but the British and Irish Lions star has returned to training ahead of the visit of Eddie Jones's men to Cardiff.

Wales attack coach Stephen Jones said: "George is making good progress, every day he is improving.

"He's taken part in some sort of training already, which is great, and that's the good thing from our perspective.

"I believe it is a full green light."

North's fellow centres Johnny Williams and Jonathan Davies are also back in training to strengthen head coach Wayne Pivac's midfield options, while flanker Josh Navidi has overcome the neck injury which forced him to miss the Scotland win

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