From school playing fields to packed out F stadiums, rugby wingers of old were skinny speed-machines who did one thing and one thing only: scored tries. But with his 6ft 4in, 17st frame, Welsh winger George North shatters the mould. North represents a new generation of international try-hunters who combine dashing athleticism with brute strength. Armed with a bench press PB of 160kg and a squat one-rep max of 255kg, North is impressively strong, but fuses force with lethal speed and agility.
At the age of 27, he’s already scored 38 tries in 85 games for his country, claimed three Six Nations titles, and is now bulldozing into his third World Cup tournament, with many fans believing he will eventually finish his career as Wales’ all-time leading try scorer. Before going into battle in Japan, he shared the secrets behind his unique mix of strength and speed.