Wales coach Warren Gatland was not surprised when centre George North told him he would retire from international rugby, but to lose a player with 13 years and 120 caps at the highest level adds to the size of the rebuild of his squad.

North, 31, will quit the national team after Saturday’s final Six Nations clash with Italy in Cardiff and ahead of a move to French second-tier side Provence at the end of this season, another stalwart lost to Gatland as he develops a squad for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.