"Code switch" - George North offered huge contract to quit rugby union

The disclosure comes amid the shock announcement of Louis Rees-Zammit leaving rugby for the NFL's international player pathway in the United States.

Reflecting on Rees-Zammit's decision, North expressed his support, stating, "He's young enough to give it a couple of years. I hope it goes well for him. If it doesn't, he can always come back."

Shedding light on his own past, North disclosed to The Guardian, "Not many people know there was an opportunity for me. I was asked if I would look at League in Australia.

"I had a couple of conversations but drew a line under it pretty quickly. My biggest goal was to play for my country, and not many people from north Wales get that opportunity."

When questioned about any temptation, North admitted, "When I was sipping a gin and tonic in the Sydney sunshine, it did cross my mind. But that was off the high of a series win. For me, it's always been about rugby and Wales. It's always been about the Three Feathers."

Despite the tempting offer, North, who is Wales' third most capped player with 118 appearances, reaffirmed his commitment to Welsh rugby. He remains available for Warren Gatland and, this year, made history as the first Welshman to play in four World Cup quarter-finals.

North has signalled his desire to continue playing international rugby, emphasising his enduring dedication to the sport and representing Wales on the global stage.

Get your tickets for the 2024 Six Nations with viagogo, the world’s leading ticket marketplace.

Owens said: Some people will be surprised at this one to start off. His misfortune was perhaps to be leading England during a difficult time, but he always gave everything for the cause, encouraging others to follow suit, and he was a nice guy off the pitch."

Owens said: "He was not only a great rugby player but also a great leader and a great man. Whenever I came across him on the field, he impressed me."

Owens said: "He’s right up on any list of rugby’s greatest players.

"Maybe he will be at the top for many people.

"New Zealand won something like nine out of every 10 games in which he led them, but the mark of Richie McCaw was how he conducted himself when the All Blacks lost."

Owens said: "I’m classing this as a joint-ticket as whenever I seemed to ref Ireland in their day O’Driscoll was captain and O’Connell was vice-skipper.

"O’Driscoll actually used to tell me if there were issues with the forwards then I should chat to O’Connell.

I found them excellent to deal with."

Owens said: "My choice as the best skipper I encountered may raise a few eyebrows, but what a captain Dusautoir was. He unfailingly put his body on the line throughout his career — recall the 38 tackles he made when France knocked the All Blacks out of the 2007 World Cup — led by example and understood the game very well."

The brains behind the Six Nations masterplans, these head coaches have all won 'Rugby's Greatest Championship', since the modernised competition began back in 2000. Throughout the history of the competition, there have been only five head coaches to win the competition on more than one occasion.

However, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is looking to become the sixth, as he orchestrates the men from the Emerald Isle into defending their Six Nations Grand Slam. In total, the Six Nations has been won by 13 different head coaches, and we challenge you to name them all in the next six minutes!

Your time starts... now! Good luck!