Why George North believes ‘many Pro D2 clubs’ could compete with Prem teams

Former Wales international George North has bullishly claimed that many second-tier clubs in France would be competitive against teams from the English top flight and the Welsh regions.

The 33-year-old was absent on Friday night when Provence began their new Pro D2 season with a 25-28 defeat away at Jonny May’s Soyaux Angouleme. However, the ex-British and Irish Lions tourist has explained how much he has loved his time in France since his move across the Channel last season.

It was March 2024, three months after he signalled his intention to switch from the URC Ospreys to the Pro D2 Provence, when the midfielder announced his retirement from Test rugby with Wales.

He unfortunately arrived in France in the summer of 2024 with a ruptured Achilles tendon that delayed his club debut until January this year, but he went on to make a dozen appearances in a campaign that ended with Provence losing a semi-final at Grenoble.

“Standards are actually very high…”

Heading into the new campaign, North, who started at Scarlets before moving to Northampton and then to Ospreys, has given his verdict on the competitiveness of the French second tier and the differences he has found on and off the pitch.

“I enjoy travelling to places in France I’ve never been to,” he told L’Equipe, the French sports newspaper. “For me, one of the main strengths of this Pro D2 is the supporters; it’s exceptional to see this passion everywhere.

“And rugby-wise, some may imagine a lower level because it’s a second division, but the standards are actually very high. But what surprised me the most was when I learned that our matches had the same audiences as the Prem. For a second division, that’s incredible!

“I was more used to UK rugby in terms of structure, where everyone has their well-defined role. Now, I really appreciate this change towards faster rugby with offloads, a more offensive and instinctive game. The skills, the physicality, the speed of the game… clearly, it ticks all the boxes.”

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Asked whether Provence could compete against Prem or URC teams, North added: “Definitely, yes. I even think that many Pro D2 clubs would put up a good fight against teams from the Prem or the Welsh regions.

“It also depends on the rules we use; if we play with substitutions on the fly like in France [rolling subs], it can favour the French teams. And if we play with the rules we have in the UK, I would see a really balanced and close match.”

North also explained why his 2024 move to France was too good to turn down after previous approaches had been spurned. “Throughout my career, there have been different approaches from French clubs, but it didn’t seem like the right time.

“I had my career in Wales, but now I wanted a new chapter after the end of my adventure with the national team. And when I met Denis (Philipon, the president of Provence Rugby) and the team, my impressions were confirmed.

“The history that this club is building, with the desire to move up to the Top 14, seemed very exciting for me and my family. I have two young boys, it’s a real opportunity for us to discover a different way of life, a different culture.”

Another attraction was the promotion and relegation system, something that was abandoned by the Premiership and has never been adopted in the URC.

“Once you are in the top six, anything is possible. It’s exciting to fight for promotion, but I also like the relegation system. It stimulates the level and pushes everyone to fight every week.

“There is also the bonus system based on tries scored and conceded (three tries difference, different from international rules), it makes the matches exciting.”

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