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George North says he is not contemplating following the likes of fellow Wales stars Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar into international retirement.<\/p>\n
Halfpenny, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric are the centre of attention when Wales face Principality Stadium opponents the Barbarians on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Jones, who made a world record 158 Test match appearances for Wales, captains a Barbarians team that features 93 times-capped flanker Tipuric among his colleagues.<\/p>\n
And full-back Halfpenny, with 101 caps under his belt, is set for a final Wales outing before moving to the southern hemisphere, where he is expected to join Super Rugby giants the Crusaders.<\/p>\n
Fly-half Biggar, meanwhile, left the international stage following Wales\u2019 World Cup campaign in France and continues to play for Top 14 club Toulon.<\/p>\n
At 31, centre North can reflect on a Wales career that has yielded 118 caps and 47 tries, but his appetite for more remains firmly intact.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like I was really happy with my performance in the World Cup,\u201d said North, who will partner Johnny Williams in Wales\u2019 midfield this weekend.<\/p>\n
I am very much still wanting to play and compete for that jersey<\/p>\n
\u201c(I am) still competing, so for me, I am very much still wanting to play and compete for that jersey. It is still a huge part of me and a big driver for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the boss (Wales head coach Warren Gatland) keeps picking me, I will keep doing the best I can.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is obviously a sad day to be losing them. They are big characters and big players for us and have delivered on numerous occasions in big games that people still talk about now.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that is the evolution of rugby and you have got to keep up with the curve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we saw in the World Cup a number of younger players putting their hands up and taking a step forward. It is time for these boys to get that exposure and get into Test match rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n
North, meanwhile, has paid glowing tributes to Jones, Tipuric and Halfpenny as he prepares to share a big-match stage with them for a final time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAl is a guy I\u2019ve known for many years and played alongside,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is an absolute Trojan horse, what he has given to Welsh rugby over the, what is it, 25-30 years he has been playing! For Al to have his last game at home, playing against Wales, is special for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Justin is probably one of the best players I\u2019ve played with, his understanding of the game, how best to apply himself and one of the fittest players.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe could play anywhere. Some people say he could play from full-back to back-row and I am sure he could do a better job than most of us.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeigh is another awesome servant of Welsh rugby, a close friend of mine and a brother in arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe literally leaves no stone unturned and he goes out of his way to help anyone and everyone. For Leigh to finish at home is special for him and his family and he has got an exciting next step as well.\u201d<\/p>\n