Lockdown has taken some getting used to for George North but the Wales star is now seeing it as an opportunity.
Speaking to the the official WRU site, as part of Dove Men+Care’s #DadsCare campaign, North reflects on life indoors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With the exact date of rugby’s return still up in the air, the winger is focusing on staying in shape and addressing fitness areas he wouldn’t normally have time to concentrate on in-season.
North is also supporting his partner Becky – who is heavily pregnant with the couple’s first child – and he’s enjoying squeezing in his home-based workout sessions around his father-to-be duties.
“On the training side it is a bit different but you have to look at it as an opportunity to concentrate on things you don’t always have time to do,” said North.
“It is a chance to work on the aches and pains, use it as a conditioning focus or use it as an opportunity for strength building.
“We don’t know what will happen with the end of this season and the start of next season yet. We just have to keep training at a level that will allow us to get back into the swing of things when we are told we can.
“You just have to keep training, keep plugging away at things and see what the future holds.”
North started all four of Wales’ 2020 Guinness Six Nations matches before the Championship was suspended due to the pandemic – including scoring a try against Italy, a match in which he played at outside centre due to an injury crisis.
But now, his efforts are focused on helping Becky amid the impending birth and he admits that has been one of the upsides of rugby being put on hold.
“The last month has been a little bit strange and weird, but it is the same for everyone”, added North.
“Everyone is in the same boat. What the NHS staff and the front-line workers are doing is amazing, they are keeping the country going and we have so much to thank them for.
“Whilst it is a weird time it has been great to spend some quality time at home with Becky, especially as we are expecting our first child any day now!
“It has been great to be at home to support Becky for the latter stages of the pregnancy, she has been amazing and has been smiling her way through it all!
“The current situation has put a huge perspective on things. Family is the most important thing in life and it really drives that home.”
