North has emerged as one of the most talented wingers in the modern game and cemented his status as a rising star by playing a key part in Wales' run to the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

The English-born speedster was just 18-years-old when he was named in Wales' squad for the 2010 November internationals having burst on to the professional scene with a two try haul for the Scarlets against Benetton Treviso in the Magners League earlier that season.

A debut cap followed against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium and North marked it in style, scoring two tries and laying on another for James Hook in a narrow 25-29 loss. He also started the matches against Fiji and New Zealand but a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery sidelined him for three months at the end of the year and ruled him out of the start of the 2011 Six Nations.

He was back in the mix and amongst the tries later that year. He notched a try against the Barbarians and followed it up with a brace in the World Cup warm-up clash with England at Twickenham and posted another against Argentina in Cardiff. He retained his place in the squad for the tournament itself and featured in every game, scoring two tries against Namibia and another against Fiji.

And going into the 2012 Six Nations, North played a key role for Wales en route to their eventual Grand Slam. The giant winger scored his sole try of the tournament against Ireland in the first match of the campaign but continued to build a lethal partnership with Alex Cuthbert on the flank.

A native of north Wales, North played youth rugby for Llangefni, Pwllheli and Rhyl and at 6'4 and nearly 17 stone he has the physical attributes to contest at the highest level.