Wales wing George North has revealed he wants to emulate international team mate Gethin Jenkins’ professionalism late into his career.
North has been sidelined after suffering a head injury while playing for Northampton Saints against Leicester Tigers. He has dismissed talk of retiring from the game, and North said Jenkins’ level of dedication to the sport is something to be applauded. The veteran prop has been ruled out of the RBS 6 Nations after undergoing surgery on his bicep, while North will be hoping for a place in Rob Howley’s squad for the tournament opener against Italy, in Rome, on February 5. “Gethin’s body is in absolute tatters. He should be in a home somewhere,” North said. “As a young professional looking up to an older and more experienced professional, if I could have that level of professionalism towards the end of my career and still want to get out of bed in the morning and go again then that would be pretty amazing.
“Gethin is half-man, half-rehab. He does his extras and everything he needs to keep getting himself ready. If I can keep getting myself ready then I’ll always keep doing it.
“If a player decided to pack the game in tomorrow, the question I ask is, who pays their mortgage? No one will, except that person.”
